No arrest: Gamini Senarath,others given more time | Page 6 | Daily News

No arrest: Gamini Senarath,others given more time

The Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne yesterday observed that police have the power to take necessary legal action against three suspects including former President’s Chief of Staff Gamini Sedara Senarath, if there is reason to believe that they have committed a cognisable offence.

The Fort Magistrate made this observation when three suspects Gamini Senarath, former Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Managing Director Piyadasa Kudabalage and former Samurdhi Commissioner, Neil Bandara Hapuwinna appeared before Court as per an undertaking given to the Supreme Court.

However,the defence counsel appearing on behalf of the suspects told Court that their clients were not surrendering in Court, but just appearing for the purpose of making a statement to the FCID.

‘They have fully cooperated with the investigation conducted by FCID.We came before Court to make a statement to the FCID, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry said.

Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige informed Supreme Court that the only residual matter of this investigation is to have the statement of Senarath recorded.

The Magistrate said she will not make any order at this point since they have not surrendered in Court, as suspects.

The Magistrate stated that after recording statements from the suspects, police can take necessary legal action against the suspects, if there is reason to believe that they have committed a cognisable offence.

Accordingly, the defence party informed Court that they will arrange a time with FCID to record a statement.

According to a B report filed before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, they have been accused of misusing government funds by illegally investing Rs.4 billion from the Rs.18.5 billion approved by the Cabinet in 2012.

The funds in question had been the allocation for the Kollupitiya Grand Hyatt Regency Hotel,to be constructed by a company affiliated to the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, but had been invested in the Hambantota Hyatt Regency Hotel project.

Senarath and two others had filed three Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing the FCID from arresting him in connection with a magisterial inquiry, under the Public Property Act.

This petition is to be taken up for support on November 17.

President’s Counsel Ali Sabry with Anil Silva PC, counsel Nalinda Indatissa and Sampath Mendis appeared for the suspects. Chief Inspector Anura Premaratne appeared for the FCID. 


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