Saman Ekanayake further remanded till February 18

Former President Secretary Saman Ekanayake has been further remanded until February 18 by the Fort Magistrate's Court for approving the funds for a foreign visit by then President Ranil Wickremesinghe in 2023.

Also, the order on the bail application will be given on February 18. 

Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara since Mr Ekanayake has been arrested under the Public Property Act,  careful consideration should be given to the points regarding the bail matter and therefore time was needed to given an order.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appearing for the prosecution objected to granting of bail after the CID submitted a further report.

Kalinga Indatissa, PC appearing for Mr Ekanayake that his client had not gained any benefit from the trip made by the former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to London and had no involvement in making the preparations of the cost.

He said therefore his client had not misappropriated any funds.

Mr Peiris said that the suspect had now changed his stance and made a second statement to the CID admitting that it was a fault to approve the estimates prepared by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, without making a query.

By Ranjith Padmasiri