The Counsel for former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake today told court that a defence team including foreign experts would be examining the computer data of the NDB bank pertaining to the accounts of the former Chief Justice and therefore they need a longer period for the purpose.

Considering the submission by defence counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya allowed time till April 30 to examine the Computers at NDB Bank regarding details of the three accounts alleged to be belonging to former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

The matter arose after State Counsel Dilan Ratnayaje informed Magistrate Pilapitiya that the Commission to Investigate to Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed a motion in court to call the case yesterday to inform court that the prosecution by adhering to the court had allowed the defence to examine the computer at the NDB Bank on March15 and 16.

He said however, the defence had refused to accept that date and had informed the Commission of their inability to examine the computers on those dates. Mr. Ratnayake said when a situation of this nature arises the parties had to inform it to the court where the court will take an appropriate decision.
President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty appearing for the defence informed the Magistrate that the notice asking the defence to come to the bank to examine the computers was made in haste on March 12.

Mr. Ladduwahetty said his team who would examine the computers consists of foreign experts in computer science. Therefore to get them down and for them to inspect the computers they needed more time.

He said the defence was not relying on local experts in computer science as the prosecution was attempting to cripple the case by using undue influence. He blamed the NDB Bank for revealing the details of Mrs. Bandaranayake’s accounts to the public and to the government media. He said an executive of the bank Russel de Mel had disclosed details of the three accounts to the state media and to websites by violating the banking norms.

On considering the submissions the Magistrate asked the parties to fix a date before April 30 on mutual agreement between them to examine the computers.

The former Chief Justice was accused of having failed to reveal the details of three accounts that she held at the NDB Bank to the Commission during her term as Chief Justice by violating  the Bribery Act. (T. Farook Thajudeen)