News
Notice re-issued in RADA case
Megapolis & Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has been re-issued notice to appear in the Colombo High Court on October 18, to testify as a witness for the Prosecution, in relation to the criminal misappropriation case filed against the Reconstruction & Development Agency’s (RADA) former chairman Tiran Alles and 3 others.
The Minister had been earlier noticed to appear before court on Wednesday (10), but had informed court he would be unable to do so due to urgent Parliament business. Accordingly, Colombo High Court Judge Vikum Kaluaarachchi re-issued notice on the Minister to appear in court on the 18th.
Former President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga did appear in court this week as a Prosecution witness. Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris, who led his evidence, showed the witness a copy of a presidential directive issued to set up RADA, and asked him if he could identify the document.
Nalin Laduwahetti PC, who appeared for Mr Alles, raised objections over this, stating that the Prosecution was presenting secondary evidence and that it needed to present the original document rather than a photo copy. DSG Peiris however, argued that he had a right to show the document to the witness as the latter’s signature was on the document and that the witness could verify its authenticity. The Defence stated that the question of whether there was a legal basis to proceed with the case using photocopies should be determined.
After considering the arguments, the judge said he would allow the prosecution to show the document on the grounds that the witness who is said to have signed it was present to verify whether it was genuine. Upon being shown the document, Mr Weeratunga identified that it was his signature on the document and told court that the document was genuine.
Aside from Mr Alles, the other accused in the case are former LTTE Financial section head Emil Kanthan, RADA Chief Operating Officer Saliya Wickramasuriya and Dr Jayantha Dias Samarasinghe. The case continues without the 2nd Accused, Emil Kanthan, who is absent. The next hearing was fixed for October 18.