Police say attorney Wanninayaka evading investigation after failing to give statement

• Policeman granted bail in Mount Lavinia court assault case
• The policeman accused of assaulting the lawyer was remanded on October 10 and released on bail yesterday, while Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake was later investigated under Section 486 of the Penal Code for verbally abusing and threatening a policeman on duty inside the court premises.

The Police yesterday informed Mt. Lavinia Magistrate Pasan Amarasena that they had launched an investigation against Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake, the President of the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court Bar Association, over allegations of verbally abusing and threatening a policeman who was on duty within court premises on October 10.   

Mount Lavinia Magistrate Pasan Amarasena granted bail to the suspect policeman on two sureties of Rs.100,000 each.   

Police informed court that statements had been obtained from the Inspectors who were on duty that day, the driver of the prison bus, and a Buddhist monk. Police further revealed that there had been no physical altercation or fighting incident on that day.   

Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Ranasinghe, appearing for the aggrieved attorney-at-law, presented to court a video allegedly showing the police officer assaulting the lawyer, and stated that the officer had admitted to the assault.   

However, police informed court that with modern AI technology, such videos could be artificially created or manipulated. 

Appearing for the Attorney General’s Department, Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera told court that the incident appeared to be a minor and ordinary situation and there was no need to prolong the matter further. He therefore requested the court to direct the parties towards mediation and to conclude the proceedings accordingly.  

In connection with the investigation against Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake, the Police had informed the Court that the investigation had been initiated under Section 486 of the Penal Code, pertaining to criminal intimidation or deceitful conduct.   

Police further told the court that a video of the alleged verbal abuse by the suspect attorney-at-law has been circulating on social media platforms. They also stated that statements have been obtained from the Inspectors who were on duty that day, the driver of the prison bus, and a Buddhist monk.   

According to police submissions, the suspect attorney had failed to appear to give a statement despite being served with a notice. Police also said that after receiving the notice, he left the area and did not cooperate with the investigation.   

The police informed the court that although a notice had been duly served, the suspect did not report to the police to make a statement. Later, when officers visited his residence in Boralesgamuwa, he was not found, and it was revealed that his telephone line had been disconnected.   

Stating that the suspect attorney has the means to leave the country, the police sought a travel ban and also requested a court order to obtain reports related to his mobile phone.   

When the Magistrate inquired about the source of the information, the police said that it had been received through intelligence information.   

Appearing for the suspect, President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda stated that there were no special circumstances in the case, adding that the police submissions were based solely on social media videos being circulated. He said the suspect was a senior and experienced lawyer with no reason to abscond and noted that the Colombo Bar Association had also decided that the incident should not be escalated further.   

Representing the aggrieved party, a female counsel told court that the suspect had acted in an indecent and abusive manner, bringing shame upon the entire legal profession and therefore there was no need for mediation in this case.   

Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma, also appearing for the suspect, said:   

“The police and lawyers are the bridge that upholds the public’s trust in justice. It is that very trust that certain parties are now trying to divide. There is no necessity to drag this matter any further. Both the President and Secretary of the Colombo Bar Association have also stated the same.”   

Following these submissions, police informed court that there was potential for a settlement, but they required the suspect’s statement prior to concluding the investigation. Responding, President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda said:   

“The main purpose here seems to be to arrest this lawyer. These are minor matters. I will personally accept responsibility for the notice and ensure my client appears before court on the next date.”   

The Magistrate thereafter stated that no order would be made regarding the arrest or non-arrest of the suspect.   

He further observed that both the police and lawyers play a vital role in the country’s judicial process, and that the matter should be settled amicably rather than being escalated.   

Accordingly, the Magistrate referred the case to the Mediation Board for settlement and fixed it for further hearing on November 17 at 1:30 p.m.   

The Magistrate informed the court that the CCTV cameras within the court premises had not been functioning for a long time.