Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne to Appear in Court Today

Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne is scheduled to appear before the Colombo Magistrate's Court today (29) in response to a notice issued for his attendance.

His lawyers informed the Colombo High Court yesterday that their client would definitely appear in court today. The lawyers requested a temporary stay order to suspend the warrant issued by the Colombo Magistrate's Court for his arrest.

The Colombo High Court, having decided to hear the revision petition filed by the former minister, issued notices to the Director-General of the Bribery Commission and other officials who were named as respondents in the case.

President's Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for Senaratne, stated that the Bribery Commission began an investigation in 2013 based on an anonymous complaint regarding the misuse of a vessel named "Weligovva," which belonged to the Ceylon Fisheries Harbours Corporation.

The Bribery Commission had sent a letter to the former minister on the 2nd of last month, asking him to provide a statement regarding the investigation. The President's Counsel said that his client was unable to appear on that day due to a fever and submitted a medical report to the Bribery Commission.

He also mentioned that Senaratne then filed a bail application with the Colombo Magistrate's Court, which was rejected.

However, President's Counsel Kalinga Indatissa stated that the warrant issued by the Colombo Magistrate's Court on the 12th for his client's arrest was contrary to the law. He pointed out that according to the Code of Criminal Procedure, evidence must be led before such a warrant can be issued. He added that the warrant was issued by the Additional Magistrate of Colombo without leading evidence as stipulated by law.

Considering the submissions, the High Court judge only issued a notice related to the petition and scheduled the case to be heard on September 10.