High Court begins trial of corruption charges against former Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith

21 September 2022 02:40 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 4 Bookmark

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The Colombo High Court today commenced recording evidence from the prosecution witnesses in a corruption case filed against two accused including former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon.

The Bribery Commission had filed indictments before Colombo High Court against former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon and Shanthi Chandrasena, the spouse of former Minister S.M. Chandrasena for allegedly causing an unlawful loss to the government when obtaining fuel allowance between September 27, 2012, and December 31, 2014. S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon is a brother of former Minister of Lands S.M. Chandrasena.

During the cross examination, Senior Defence Counsel Darshana Kuruppu appearing for the accused raised the issues about the credibility of the first prosecution witness.

Giving evidence, witness Nimal wijethilaka stated that he made a complaint to Bribery commission against the two accused. Replying to a query raised by defence counsel, the witness admitted the fact that the Court of Appeal has delivered a judgment against him for uttering falsehood by way of an affidavit.
Defence Counsel suggested that witnesses and one provincellor counselor named Herath Banda had prepared the false complaint. The witness admitted that Herath Banda helped him to draft the complaint.

High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige fixed the case for further trial to be heard on December 14.

The Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed indictments against S.M. Ranjith and his then private secretary Shanthi Chandrasena under section 70 of the Bribery Act on eight charges.

The Bribery Commission alleged that first accused S.M. Ranjith while serving as the North Central Province Chief Minister had made arrangements to allocate a sum of Rs.2.68 million to the official vehicle of his private secretary Shanthi Chandrasena despite her fuel allowance had been added to her salary.

The indictments had been filed under five counts under section 70 of the Bribery Act and sections 113 and 102 of the Penal Code.

Assistant Director-General of the Bribery Commission Asitha Anthony appeared for the prosecution.
Senior Counsel Darshana Kuruppu appeared for the accused.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

Comments - 4

Muhunthan(Walker) Wednesday, 21 September 2022 06:27 PM

At lest a one top catch is going on over there keep on go further but if you all fails to processes further with the peace well wisher current President of Ceylon President Ranil Wickremasinga the whole World will blame to you all. It’s a view from a former Tamil’s side fighter’s point of view. Also if the writer of this news writes like “ penal from panel” you would have been polished and would write International langue beautifully you all excel in English. Filthy bandaranayakei.

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Big line up forming Wednesday, 21 September 2022 10:06 PM

Credibility of witness does not matter, if there is evidence that fuel allowance that was added to the salary is drawn again making a double claim. If the answer is yes, it is a crime. Period. Please don't waste valuable time of courts and judges. Admit and accept the punishment. There is a Huge Queue already forming.

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Lion Thursday, 22 September 2022 04:00 AM

S M Chandrasena is no better ,as it was with documentary evidence that JVP proved how this A grade rouge swindle the funds given to farmers by the government for damages they sustained due to mavillaru closure by LTTE.

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Junapala Handeran Thursday, 22 September 2022 06:50 PM

How about Siripala? Ranathunga? When they are going to jail before the next Aragalaya!!

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