Case against ‘white van’ press conference Court notifies Rajitha to appear on Jan. 17

• Dr. Rumi Mohammed, duo who allegedly masqueraded as  ‘white van’ drivers also notified 

By Yoshitha Perera 

The Colombo High Court yesterday issued notices on former minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, former SPC Chairman Dr. Rumi Mohammed and the duo who participated in a controversial press conference as ‘white van’ drivers to appear in court on January 17, while considering the revision application filed by Attorney General (AG). 

Accordingly, the revision application filed by the AG on January 8 challenging the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s order on granting bail to the former minister has been fixed for support on January 17 in the Colombo High Court. 

On December 19 last year, Dr. Senaratne filed an anticipatory bail application seeking the prevention of his arrest which was rejected by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. However, he filed another application the following day. Four days later, the Colombo Additional Magistrate issued a warrant to arrest him over the controversial press conference. 
On December 26, it was reported that Dr. Senaratne was admitted to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CICU) of Lanka Hospitals in Narahenpita. He was arrested the subsequent day and remanded whilst continuing treatment in the hospital. On December 30, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court granted him bail.   

Revision application filed by the AG on January 8 challenged the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s order on granting bail to the former minister