The second case filed against former Megapolis and Western Province Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka over the alleged motor accident that took place in 2016 at Rajagiriya was today fixed for trial by Colombo High Court.

 

Colombo High Court Damith Thotawatta fixed the case to be heard on November 30. Six witnesses including the main witness Sandeep Sampath were noticed to appear before Court on the next trial date.

 

The indictment comprising 16 charges had been filed against MP Patali Champika, his driver Thusith Dilum Kumara and former officer In Charge (OIC) of the Welikada Police Station Sudath Asmadala on charges of fabricating false evidence, a conspiracy of fabricating evidence and submitting false reports to the Court.

 

Defence counsel Anuja Premaratne PC informed the court that he is expecting to raise preliminary objections against the indictment on the next date.

 

The main charge is relating to conspiring and fabricating false evidence to claim that it was Dilum Thusith Kumara who was driving the vehicle which caused the accident and another charge relates to him allegedly conspiring to conceal evidence to protect MP Patali Champika from legal penalty.

 

ASP Sudath Asmadala was charged with producing a false report to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court to protect former MP Patali Champika from legal penalty.

 

The first indictment was filed against former MP Patali Champika on charges of causing grievous injury to a youth named Sandeep Sampath while recklessly driving a vehicle. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)