The second case filed against former Megapolis and Western Province Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka over the alleged motor accident that took place in 2016 at Rajagiriya was today fixed for trial on April 4 by the Colombo High Court.
When the matter came before High Court Judge Damith Thotawatte for trial, the defence moved Court to postpone the case citing they were yet to receive several documents from the prosecution.
President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamannaappearing for Patali Champika Ranawaka said his client is entitled to have a fair trial in terms of Article 13 (3) of the constitution. He said the they need to peruse a statement given to Mirihana Police by the prosecution witness number two before case being heard, denying a fair trial. Jayamanna alleged that the prosecution has failed to hand it over to the defence and it could be adversely affect for a fair trial as cited by Supreme Court in the Wijepala Vs Attorney General.
However, Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appearing for the Attorney General gave an undertaking to hand over this document to the defence within one week.
Meanwhile, Dileepa Pieris alleged that several lawyers have given voice-cuts to media regarding the evidence of the case while the case is being heard before Court. High Court Judge Damith Thotawatte urged the parties to behave in a manner that safeguards the dignity of the judiciary.
This case comprising 16 charges was filed against MP Patali Champika, his driver ThusithDilum Kumara and former officer In Charge (OIC) of the Welikada Police Station SudathAsmadala on charges of fabricating false evidence, a conspiracy of fabricating evidence and submitting false reports to the Court.
The main charge is relating to conspiring and fabricating false evidence to claim that it was Dilum Thusith Kumara who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident and another charge relates to him allegedly conspiring to conceal evidence to protect MP Patali Champika from legal penalty.
ASP Sudath Asmadala was charged with producing a false report to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court to protect former MP PataliChampika from legal penalty.
The first indictment was filed against former MP Patali Champika on charges of causing grievous injury to a youth named Sandeep Sampath while recklessly driving a vehicle.