The warrant was yesterday issued against prosecution witness Sarath Kumara by the Colombo High Court over the case filed against two accused including former Minister Rajitha Senaratne in connection with the controversial ‘White Van’ press conference.
When the case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta, the High Court Judge observed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) should pay special attention to arrest the first prosecution witness Sarath Kumara and produce him before Court.
The Colombo High Court also issued notice to the fifth prosecution witness in the case to appear before Court.
The Colombo High Court Judge also pointed out that the Attorney General should take steps to commence the case summoning other prosecution witnesses instead of these witnesses or conclude the case as the trial of the case has been postponed on several previous occasions.
The Attorney General filed indictments comprising 14 charges of conspiracy and aiding and abetting under Sections 190, 169 (G) of the Penal Code and Section 80 of the Presidential Election Act against former minister Rajitha Senaratne and former Chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation Mohamed Rumi in the Colombo High Court in connection with the controversial ‘White Van’ press conference.
Sakalavalli Arachchige Sarath Kumara and Watareka Gamage Athula Sanjeewa Madanayake who were named as the first and second suspects in the case before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court have been released from the charges and they were named as prosecution witnesses in the indictment.
Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne was arrested in connection with organizing the ‘White Van’ press conference on November 10, 2019, ahead of the Presidential Election on November 16, 2019. He was later released on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.
In her bail order, the Chief Magistrate observed that according to the Criminal Procedure Code, the charges leveled against former Minister Senaratne were bailable offences. Former State Pharmaceuticals Corporation Chairman Mohamed Rumi Mohamed Azeem and two other individuals, namely Sakalawalli Arachchige Sarath Kumara and Athula Sanjeewa Madanayake, who had allegedly been involved in the incident, were also released on bail.
Dilshan Tharaka