The Colombo High Court has issued a warrant for the second time to arrest prosecution witness Sakalavalli Arachchige Sarath Kumara and has further issued a notice to the first prosecution witness in the case, Watareka Gamage Athula Sanjeewa Madanayake, to appear in court on May 8.
High Court Judge Damith Totawatta made these orders after noting the absence of the two witnesses during the prosecution's evidence presentation in the Colombo High Court. The case pertains to former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and former State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Chairman Rumi Mohammed, who were indicted by the Attorney General for making fictitious allegations about a White Van abduction during a Press Conference held before the Presidential Election in November 2019.
During the inquiry, Judge Totawatta observed that witness Sakalavalli Arachchige Sarath Kumara had intentionally evaded court and issued a second warrant for his arrest.
The Judge also noted that the magisterial inquiry had been unreasonably postponed due to the witnesses' absence.
Judge Totawatta advised the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to ensure the witnesses' presence on the next court date, scheduled for May 8.
The Attorney General has filed indictments comprising 14 charges against the two accused for organizing the White Van press conference ahead of the November 19 Presidential Election, during which Rajitha Senaratne and Rumi Mohammed made false allegations regarding the personal character of SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
In another development, the Judge scheduled an inquiry for today to address an application filed by Mr. Senaratne seeking to lift the travel ban imposed on him.
The accused are currently on bail of Rs. 10,000 each with two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each, and the court has imposed a travel ban on them from leaving the country.
