The Secretary to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to look into alleged political victimisation of public servants yesterday surrendered in Court through her lawyer and moved to recall the arrest warrant which had been issued against her for not complying with court orders.
Accordingly, the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday ordered to recall the warrant issued against Pearl Weerasinghe, the Secretary of the Presidential Commission for not complying with a Court order regarding a case filed against Samarappulige Niraj Roshan alias ‘Ali Roshan’ and seven others.
Following her surrender, the Secretary of the Presidential Commission undertook to produce CID investigation briefs relating to the investigations into the possession of elephants without valid permits before court. Trial-at-Bar Bench comprising Colombo High Court Judges Vikum Kaluarachchi (President), Dhammika Ganepola and Aditya Patabandige ordered directed the Secretary to produce these documents before court today (12).
The Court observed that it would not impose any kind of bond on the Presidential Commission Secretary since court has a great respect towards the Presidential Commission.
The Court had earlier issued summons directing Pearl Weerasinghe, a witness in the case to appear in court along with the investigation briefs pertaining to the CID investigation which are currently placed at the Presidential Commission.
The Attorney General filed indictments against Samarappulige Niraj Roshan, Ali Roshan’s close relative Samarappuli Hewage Uchitha Nishan Dhammika, Wildlife officers Upali Padmasiri and Priyanka Sanjeewani, Kadupitiyage Chandana Kumara, Sashika Chanuka Gamlath, Palihapitiya Gamage Jayalath and Ranasinghelage Damith Chathuranga under 33 counts, including conspiring to trafficking five elephants between June 5, 2012 and August 31, 2015.
The charges were filed under 28 counts for violating the provisions of Fauna and Flora Ordinance and Public Property Act including conspiracy to traffic elephants, trafficking of elephants, and unlawful possession of elephants and retention of stolen public property (elephants).
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