News
New three-judge High Court Trial-at-Bar to hear case against former minister and others
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena has appointed a new three-judge High Court Trial-at-Bar to hear the case filed against 12 accused, including former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella over the purchase of counterfeit immunoglobulin injections by the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division.
The new three-judge bench is headed by High Court Judge Priyantha Liyanage, with the other members being High Court Judges Viraj Weerasooriya and Thilakaratne Bandara. Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe had requested the CJ to appoint a new High Court Trial-at-Bar to hear the case following the retirement of High Court Judge Mahesh Weeraman, President of the previous three-judge bench and the transfer of another member, Pradeep Abeyratne as Tangalle High Court Judge.
When the case was called before the newly appointed Trial-at-Bar this week, Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, who led the prosecution, informed court that all documents necessary for the case have been handed over to the defence and that they were prepared to hand over any documents that might be missing if notified.
In response, the defence said that since they had been handed over an entire folder of documents instead of the document listed in the indictment, they were finding it difficult to locate the relevant document. The bench accepted the defence’s argument and ordered the prosecution to separate the relevant document from the folder, mark it and provide a detailed note regarding it to the defence.
The bench also granted a request made by Sarath Jayamanne, PC, who appeared for second accused Kapila Wickramanayake, for his client to be permitted to leave to attend an examination he was due to sit that morning at the Open University.
All accused except for Dr. Jayanath Buthpitiya, who is overseas and has a warrant out for his arrest, were present in court when the case was taken up.
The court directed that the Pre-Trial Conference on the case be held on November 26 and ordered the accused to be present in court on that date. All 12 accused have been indicted on 13 counts. The indictments have been filed on charges of criminal misappropriation of over Rs. 144 million through the supply of counterfeit Rituximab and Human Immunoglobulin vials, conspiracy and aiding and abetting the crime.
Nalin Ladduwahetty, PC, Priyantha Nawana, PC, were among those who appeared for the accused.
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