Patali Champika before court tomorrow

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka who is currently in remand custody is due to be produced in court tomorrow (December 24). Meanwhile, the Court issued another order today on the investigations conducted by the Colombo Crimes Division. Colombo Additional Magistrate Lochana Abeyawickrema granted permission for the Criminal investigations department to question IGP Pujith Jayasundara who has been sent on compulsory leave. The additional Magistrate issued this order after considering a motion presented by the Colombo Crimes Division. The Additional magistrate also ordered telecommunication companies to hand in phone records of Patali Champika Ranawaka to the Colombo Crimes Division. Meanwhile, representatives of the People's Collective for Justice and Fairness filed a complaint at the Police commission today(December 23). The complaint stated that the police acted illegally when arresting former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. Att.-at-Law Namal Rajapaksa noted that they have visited the residence of an individual named Thusitha Kumara living in Imaduwa, Galle, claiming that a statement must be recorded. He added that when they arrived at his residence he was not available and they abducted the wife, the mother and the 1 and a half years old infant who was ill only to be kept in a vehicle in Battaramulla until morning. He went on to note that they were not wanted by the authorities and it was a crime. Meanwhile, a Satyagraha was launched opposite the statue of Lord Buddha at the Viharamaha Devi Park in support of Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. The Satyagraha was named "Awanithiyata Erehiwa Sathua Kriyawa" A group including Theros, professionals and civil society activists joined the Satyagraha. MPs from the United National Party and Ven. Thero's visited Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today at the Welikada prison. Politicians from the Opposition expressed views about the arrest of Patali Champika Ranawaka. UNP MP Karu Paranawitharana noted that from the legal perspective, he has to be granted bail however the political influence and political revenge behind this might not. He added even if Champika Ranawaka drove the vehicle he is not at fault as the other party hit him from behind. He shared that as much as they sympathize with the plight of the boy the victim's motorbike does not have a license to be on the road. He went on to note that the boy has been found guilty for this before the law and the decision to charge MP Champika Ranawaka is wrong. He further added that they intend to appeal against it. General Secretary of the UPFA Minister Mahinda Amaraweera stated that it is regular to receive allegations from the opposition in a case like this and the court will decide what is wrong and right in the matter. JVP MP Sunil Handunhetti: "Although there are allegations on the legality of this arrest President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has taught Ranil and Maithripala one lesson. He has shown them that this is how the law must be enforced. Therefore I still believe that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa can bring the chief accused in the bond scam Arjun Mahendran and his political associates before the law. If the law can be enforced against Patali Champika Ranawaka like this then the thieves who looted the Central Bank in broad daylight can definitely be brought to justice."