Rajitha Senaratne further remanded

By T. Farook Thajudeen and Yoshitha Perera

Former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who was arrested in connection with the controversial ‘White Van Press Conference’, was remanded till June 10 by Colombo Chief Magistrate.

When the case was taken for hearing yesterday (Wednesday) morning, Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne transferred former Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s bail application to another court following a request by Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris on behalf of the Attorney General (AG).   During the inquiry DSG Deleepa Pieris alleged that Mr. Senaratne, while an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest, had absconded by hiding in an unknown location. He also said Mr. Senaratne had later got himself admitted to a private hospital intentionally to evade arrest. The DSG further said the former minister will be indicted in the High Court.   

However, President Counsel Anil Silva appearing with PC K.V. Thavarasa, Gunaratna Wanninayake and Nandana Perera instructed by Gowry Sangary Thavarasa for Mr. Senaratne said that his client never absconded and said his client was a heart patient who had undergone a bypass surgery had got himself admitted to a private hospital for further treatment.   

Senaratne was arrested and produced in Magistrate Court on May 13 on an order of Colombo High Court that set aside an earlier order of Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Lanka Jayaratne who released Rajitha Senaratne on bail and was once again remanded till May 27.