Ex-CJ cries foul over NDB action

26 September 2014 08:59 pm

Former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake’s Counsel complained to the Colombo Chief Magistrate that the NDB had not allowed her computer experts to inspect the log-in data of the accounts said to belong to Ms. Bandaranayakes and had demanded US$472, 200 from them.

Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty PC told Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya that the NDB had on an earlier occasion appealed to the High Court seeking a stay order on inspecting the computer data in relating to her accounts.

He said the bank had suppressed facts and obtained an ex–parte stay order from the High Court and after the Court was made aware that the bank had suppressed facts had dismissed the application even without calling for objections from the defence.

Thereafter the Magistrate fixed a fresh date for the computer experts to inspect the computers.

Mr. Ladduwahetty complained that the Bank had not abided by the Court Order and demanded that Ms. Bandaranayake should pay US$472, 200 to the bank before inspecting the data.

He said this was in contempt of court because the bank could not force terms and conditions on Court Orders and added that his client was now without any income including a pension and pointed out that his client cannot afford to pay it and they cannot face the trial without these details.

Consequently Magistrate Pilapitiya questioned the bank’s counsel how long it would take for the bank to release the log-in details to the accused. The counsel said it will take about four years to release the computer details.

State Counsel Dilan Ratnayake appearing for the Attorney General said the AG was not made aware about the alleged incident that took place at the bank.

The Magistrate directed a Central Bank Director to appear in Court on November 3 to find out whether the Central Bank could provide any solution to the problem. (TFT)