Patali Champika summoned before Colombo magistrate court

COLOMBO (News 1st) - MP Patali Champika Ranawaka appeared at the Colombo No. 04 Magistrates Court with his counsel with regard to the 2016 Rajagiriya motor accident. Counsel for the MP informed court, Police had acted in a biased manner and had acted towards securing a travel ban on their client and driver. Counsel said personnel from the Colombo Crimes Division had visited the Imaduwa residence of the MPs driver, and since he was not there, the CCD had taken away his family by force. However, Police informed court, the Wife and Mother of the MPs driver were taken away with their consent following a tip that the MPs driver was in Peliyagoda. The family was later released, as the MPs driver was not in Peliyagoda as earlier informed. The court stressed this is yet another case, and ordered the Colombo Crimes Division to report the progress of the investigations on the 14th of February. Patali Champika Ranawaka, the former minister noted that he already expressed his views to the media yesterday (December 15). Meanwhile, convening a media briefing today, the UNP expressed the following views regarding the incident, where the mother, wife, and child of Patali Champika's driver, were brought to the CCD in Colombo. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, former minister stated that this was clearly based on political revenge and he added that if they sought political vengeance during their tenure most of the current cabinet would be behind bars. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the former minister shared that the incident took place four years ago, and the judiciary had conducted an investigation in this regard and taken the necessary measures. He added that the government is trying to silence and scare MP Patali Champika Ranawaka and the opposition. Ajith P.Perera, another former minister stated that this falls under abduction and they will take all possible legal steps regarding this matter. He added that he would like to remind police officers that after they have engaged in dirty political contracts, there will be no one to save you when you are brought before the law of our country. UNP MP S.M.Marikkar stated that this was an attempt to silence all politicians who may pose a threat to them in the future.