Charges to be filed against Ravi K for giving false evidence

Charges would be filed against Minister Ravi Karunanayake for giving false evidence to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the bond scam, Senior State Counsel Lakmini Girihagama informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today. 

After considering the submissions made by the Senior State Counsel, Magistrate Jayaratne ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to file a case against Minister Karunanayake’s daughter Onella, if it is evident that she has voluntarily neglected to follow the court order made to submit to the CID relevant documents (including the director board reports of the Global Transportation and Logistics), a company which is said to be owned by the Karunanayake family. 

When the case was taken up in court, a report on the progress of the case was submitted by the police. 

Making submissions, Senior State Counsel Girihagama said charges would be filed against the minister under Clause 189 of the Penal Code for giving false evidence after swearing before the bond commission to say only the truth. 

She said a court order was given on February 28 to submit documents including the director board reports of the Global Transportation and Logistics to the CID, but Onella Karunanayake has failed to follow the court order. She said investigations into the incident has been hindered because no relevant document had been submitted as per the court order. 

The Senior State Counsel also said Minister Karunanayake and his daughter Onella had informed that they would arrive at the CID on June 6 to give statements over the incident and requested attention to be made over Onella’s failure to comply with the court order. 

After considering the submitted facts, the Magistrate ordered the progress of the investigations to be made to the court on August 29 when the case would be taken up for hearing again. (Manopriya Gunasekara)