Vajira Neththikumara to be charged

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today directed the Slave Island police to file a charge sheet against Vajira Nettikumara, who owned the building where the Union Place gambling centre was located.

At a previous magisterial inquiry Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage noticed Ms. Nettikumara to appear in Courts in connection with the gambling centre located in the building owned by her. She appeared in Court and was released on bail.

President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa appearing for the suspect informed Court that he would raise objections regarding the case at the appropriate time and moved Court to direct the police to file a charge sheet against his client.

At the previous inquiry, the defence counsel informed Court that the police had carried out the raid even without obtaining a search warrant.

Meanwhile, the Slave Island police told the Magistrate that the suspect could be charged under section 3 (b) of the Gambling Ordinance.

Having considered the submissions he ordered the police to file a charge sheet against the suspect on January 27.

In this case, Ms. Nettikumara is charged with having permitted the operation of a gambling centre in the building she owned.  
     
They informed Court that the police had raided this gambling den on more than five occasions since 2005 and legal action was taken against those who operated it and against those who took part in its activities.

The Inland Revenue Department had informed them that the gambling centre did not possess a valid license to operate a Casino. On December 2, ten out of eleven suspects arrested on charges of operating the gambling centre and betting there  were released on Rs.100,000 surety bail. One of the suspects who pleaded guilty to the charge was fined Rs.100.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

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