Patali was arrested based on investigations and evidence: Bandula Gunawardena

COLOMBO (News 1st) - During the cabinet media briefing, opinions were expressed regarding the arrest of former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. Minister Bandula Gunawardane, Joint Cabinet media spokesperson noted that the victim of Champika Ranawaka's accident met president Gotabaya Rajapaksa during a rally in Homagama and requested him to seek justice for him. He added that however, the president did not make the arrest based on a request and the arrest made was following the proper complaint procedure. He further added that after the complaint, investigations were carried out and the reports were handed over to the Attorney General. He went on to note that based on the evidence police was informed to arrest the MP. Journalist: The Central Bank Bond Scam was a heavily discussed topic during your tenure in the Opposition. Why aren't you talking about that today? Why and what has happened to that? Bandula Gunawardena shared that they are still of the same view regarding the matter and the Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena has informed the Singapore Government to extradite the main suspect, former Governor of Central Bank Arjuna Mahendran. "The law will also be enforced upon him similarly regarding the Central Bank Bond scam" he added. MP Patali Champika Ranawaka was arrested while at his residence at Battaramulla, Jayanthipura around 7 last night. Before the arrest, UNP MP Patali Champika Ranawaka questioned whether they had informed the parliament and the magistrate regarding his arrest. He added that they only informed the Deputy Speaker after they entered the residence and it was trespassing. Ranawaka was brought to the Colombo Crimes Division around 7.45 last night and then he was produced before the Magistrate's Court around 10 pm after a 2-hour statement was recorded. Meanwhile, journalists were not permitted to enter the court premises. Last night the Additional Magistrate Kanchana Neranjan de Silva ordered to further remand Patali Champika Ranawaka till today (December 19).