‘X Files’ suspect warned

A Colombo Court today severely warned a disabled Sri Lankan Army Captain not to make any statements to newspapers in respect of the popular X-files actress Gillian Anderson.

In this case Army Captain Anura Weeraratne Bandara had been charged with the misappropriation of Rs.17.8 million from the Sri Lankan property owned by Ms. Anderson.

When the case was taken up by Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne, Counsel Anuja Premaratne appearing for Ms. Anderson complained that the suspect had in an interview with a Sinhala newspaper indicated that he had a close relationship with the American actress.

Mr. Premaratne said the statement by the suspect had adversely affected Ms. Anderson as she was a well-known public figure and told Court that if required he would produce the newspaper article in Court.

Defence Counsel Jayantha Dias Nanayakkara denied these allegations.

Having considered the submissions, the Magistrate severely warned the suspect not to interfere with the witnesses by giving statements to newspapers or in any other manner and said Court would revoke bail if the suspect was found violating the bail conditions. 

In a complaint to the CID, Job Davis a British national complained that suspect Anura Weeraratne Bandara had been entrusted to administer the propertybelonging to the American actress at Pasyala and had obtained Rs.17.8 million from an affiliated company saying it was for service charges.

It had transpired in Court that Ms. Anderson had bought seven acres of land at Nugadola Watta in Pasyala with the intention of setting up a Non-Governmental Organization. The land had been bought in the name of Hill House Private Ltd. And Mr. Weeraratne Bandara was appointed as a manager of the property.

Further magisterial inquiry was postponed for June 27. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)