Ex-Minister Patali Champika permitted to attend 01st sitting of Parliament

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Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga on Wednesday (19)ordered for Ex-Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka to be released on the previous bail granted by the Magistrate’s Court.

The order was made when the case filed by the Attorney General with the High Court with regard to causing grievous injury to a person identified as Sandeep Sampath Gunawardena by rash & negligent driving on the 28th of February 2016 in Rajagiriya, was called up on Wednesday (19).

Ex-Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, ASP Sudath Asmadala & driver Thusitha Dilum Kumara are charged under 16 separate indictments for causing grievous injury to a person by rash & negligent driving, for conspiring & fabricating false evidence as well as giving false information to screen an offender.

The Colombo High Court earlier issued the notice on Ex-Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, ASP Sudath Asmadala & driver Thusitha Dilum Kumara to appear in court on 20th August with regard to the Rajagiriya motor accident.

However, the first accused in the case Patali Champika had filed a motion to call up the matter and appeared in court today.

President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appearing for the accused requested for his client to be permitted to attend the 01st sitting of the 09th Parliament scheduled for tomorrow and to allocate a separate date for Champika Ranawaka to appear in court.

Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga ordered for the Ex-Minister to appear in court on the 28th of August and ordered for his fingerprints to be recorded.

However, the other accused in the case Dilum Thusitha Kumara who served as a driver to the Ex-Minister and ASP Sudath Asmadala who was the OIC of the Welikada Police at the time will have to appear in court tomorrow as per the previous order given by the court.