Aide says grandmother not in house as Dhanuna came

Giving evidence in the case filed against Dhanuna Tillekeratne’s grandmother, a domestic aide who had been employed at her home told Court that Mrs. Tillekeratne (grandmother) had not been at her residence when Dhanuna Tillekeratne arrived there on February, 2010.

In this case Dhanuna Tillekeratne's grandmother Ellen Wimala Tillekeratne (80) had been charged by the CID that she provided accommodation to her grandson, after a warrant had already been issued for his arrest.

When the case came up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne, the first witness S. Jayantha Jayapala told Court that Dhanuna Tillekeratne arrived at the Piliyandala home and he alone provided accommodation to Dhanuna Tillekaratne.

“He came home at night and I arranged him a bedroom. Though I served him a cool drink and a yogurt, he only accepted the cool drink. In addition, for the breakfast, I prepared milk rice and served him”, the witness said.

When CID asked whether Mrs. Tillekaratne stayed at home at the time Dhanuna Tillekeratne was there, witness informed the Court that at that time she had gone somewhere else.  

The witness further told the Court that he was unaware of Dhanuna’s time of departure.
President’s Counsel Ananda Wijesekara appearing for the accused said that he would not cross examine the witness. Further trial in the matter was postponed to July 4.

In this case, five witnesses including a domestic aide of Mrs. Tillekeratne have also been summoned to give evidence. Giving statements to the CID, two domestic aides had told the CID that Mrs. Tillekeratne had provided board and lodging to Dhanuna Tillekaratne, the son-in-law of former army commander Sarth Fonseka on February 17, 2010.

Dhanuna Tillekaratne has been named as the first accused in the HiCorp case and has an arrest warrant on him.

The CID alleged that, by providing accommodation to Dhanuna who was absconding while a warrant had been issued for his arrest, Mrs. Ellen Wimala Tillekeratne had committed an offense under the section 209 of the Penal Code. Mrs. Tillekeratne is now out on bail.  (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)