• The case against five suspects including the underworld gangster known as “Harak Kata” was pending in the Matara Magistrate’s Court
• One of the suspects in the case riding a motorcycle had given him a lift on his way back after attending court 
• His wife and children had been away from home to attend a wedding 

By Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk and Sunil De Silva   

The complainant in a criminal case pending in Matara Magistrate Court had been shot dead on Thursday night (20) at his house. Police said he had returned home after attending court in connection with the case.    

Colombo Chief Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Ajith Tennakoon has come to this conclusion after examining the health condition of Champika Ranawaka while being treated at a private hospital during the last trial date. On the previous occasion, Parliamentarian Ranawaka was not present before Court, but he was represented by his lawyers.  
Chief Judicial Medical Officer said the treating physician was of the view that since most of the investigations are within the normal range, the patient can be discharged from the hospital and pancreatic tumor can be managed later by a surgeon and gastroenterologist.   The Chief Judicial Medical Officer further stated that he is expressing this opinion after examining ten medical tests carried out on Patali Champika Ranawaka.  Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appearing for the Attorney General alleged that the accused is deliberately attempting to postpone court proceedings with the blessing of some medical practitioners.  

However, President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appearing for the accused denied the allegation and said anyone can get sick at any time. He reiterated that his client has the right to access with health care and denied the fact that his client is attempting to mislead the court.  

Meanwhile, Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta decided to fix the trial into the Rajagiriya accident case for February 18. The five prosecution witnesses in the case were noticed to appear before Court on next trial date.    The Colombo High Court had earlier rejected the preliminary objections raised by Patali Champika regarding the maintainability of the indictments filed over the alleged motor accident that took place in 2016 at Rajagiriya.   
Subsequently, Ranawaka filed a revision application challenging Colombo High Court’s decision to reject his preliminary objections. This revision application is to be heard before the Court of Appeal on January 24.