Champika Ranawaka remanded until the 24th

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka was remanded until December 24th by Colombo Additional Magistrate Kanchana Neranjana de Silva today (December 19). Patali Champika Ranawaka who was remanded was taken to the Welikada prison this afternoon. Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appearing for the prosecution said the MP is charged with causing a motor accident, concealing the truth and switching drivers following the incident. He said information proves, it was definitely the former minister who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident. However, Counsel for the Defence stressed, there is no legal impediment preventing the Magistrate from granting bail. Counsel added, the matter was taken up before the same court adding that MP Ranawaka had extended his fullest cooperation to the investigations and legal matters. DSG Dileepa Peiris who strongly objected to granting bail said a conspiracy had taken place to pass on the responsibility of causing the accident to another person. He pointed out, the Traffic Police personnel attached to Welikada Police conspired to conceal the fact that Champika Ranawaka was behind the wheel upon the instructions of the then OIC of Welikada who is now serving as an Assistant Superintendent of Police. The Deputy Solicitor General informed the court, legal action will be instituted against all those officers in the future. He went on to note that information claims a certain group had sheltered the second suspect in the case, the MPs driver, Thusitha Dilum Kumara. He went on to say, as investigations are taking place on the suspects and the Police Officers who aided in the incident, granting bail to the MP would pose an obstruction towards the process. The Deputy Solicitor General added, information is being received to claim then Colombo DIG Pujith Jayasundara too had given instructions to conceal this accident and its events, adding investigations are taking place. Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris said steps would be taken to file indictments against all the suspects with the High Court adding the Welikda Police investigated the accident in a way to protect the accused, showing no regard to the aggrieved party.