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Obeysekera land fraud case to be heard in another court?
The Court of Appeal ordered notices to be issued and the trial stayed in the High Court of the Fredrick Obeysekera land fraud case until final determination to move the case to another court, after hearing submissions made to it.
In this case former Military Spokesman Sumedha Perera and Sarath Wijewardana were indicted with claiming the land and property of Mr. Obeysekera by producing fraudulent documents.During the trial there was a frequent exchange of words between the High Court Judge and Senior State Counsel. The judge requested the Attorney General to remove the Senior State Counsel from the prosecution and replace him which was refused by the Attorney General.

Desmond Fernando P.C., counsel for the complainant said that whilst the trial was proceeding the High Court Judge had attended the funeral of the first accused Bandula Wijesingha. Mr Fernando stated that at the discussion between President’s Counsel and the High Court Judge on June 24, the High Court Judge inquired if Mr Fernando could arrange a meeting between her and President Chandrika Kumaratunga so that the High Court Judge could state her case for her promotion to the Court of Appeal.

Mr Fernando had according to his affidavit responded to her request by stating that in the circumstances it would be inappropriate as Mr. Obeysekera was an aggrieved party in a case presently pending before her.Mr Fernando stated that as he was not sure of being awarded a fair trial he was requesting the Court of Appeal to transfer the trial to another court which position was supported by the Senior State Counsel on behalf of the Attorney General.
Dr Ranjit Fernando with Ms. Deshani Jayathilake and Amila Udayangani appeared for the petitioner

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