News
Trial-at-bar proposed for cases against Ranil and Deshabandu
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris has proposed that indictments be filed before a three-judge trial-at-bar once investigations into two high-profile cases involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former police chief Deshabandu Tennakoon are completed.
The two cases he was referring to are the alleged misappropriation of state funds by former President Wickremesinghe during a visit to Britain to attend his wife’s doctorate graduation; and the Weligama W15 hotel shooting incident involving former IGP Tennakoon.
The Sunday Times learns that ASG Peiris made the proposal during a high-level meeting between officials from the Attorney General’s Department and the Police. Among those who attended the meeting were Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe and Police Chief Priyantha Weerasooriya. The ASG had recommended appointing separate trial-at-bars to hear the cases, taking into account the positions held by Mr Wickremesinghe and Mr Tennakoon. Both have been named as suspects in their respective cases.
It had been pointed out that investigations into both incidents were yet to be completed, and as such, the AG had conveyed that he would take a decision on the proposal depending on the recommendations he received once the relevant extracts were submitted to him after the completion of the investigations.
The AG had also instructed Deputy Solicitor General Yuhan Abeywickrama, who is supervising the probe, to take necessary action regarding the Weligama W15 Hotel shooting incident before December 31, given that investigations into that incident are now almost complete. He had instructed that the process of filing charges against eight police officers who are alleged to have been involved, including Deshabandu Tennakoon, be expedited.
A query had been raised whether some suspects in the case involving Mr Tennakoon can be used as witnesses, but the suggestion had been turned down.
The progress of the investigation into former President Wickremesinghe’s case had also been discussed at the meeting. Earlier, a discussion lasting more than four hours had been held between AG’s Department officers and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials. That meeting was led from the AG’s side by Senior State Counsel Samadari Piyasena, while the CID team included Assistant Superintendent S. Wedamulla, Chief Inspector Nalinda Herath and Police Constable Bandara.
The Sunday Times learns that the conduct of former President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake was discussed at length, with talks focusing on whether investigations had determined if he had committed a crime or had aided and abetted a crime through his actions.
Ms Piyasena had been tasked with submitting independent observations on further action to be taken with regard to Mr Ekanayake before January 28. A decision on whether or not to name Mr Ekanayake as a suspect will be taken based on these observations.
With regard to the investigations conducted by a CID team that flew to London to inquire into Mr Wickremesinghe’s visit to the UK, it had been decided to put off taking a decision on the matter until reports related to that part of the probe are received. Accordingly, it had been decided to take any decision on further action to be taken against Mr Wickremesinghe only once the investigation has been completed.
Meanwhile, during the meeting held between the AG and the IGP, progress on investigations into 45 serious criminal cases had also been discussed. Instructions had been issued to urgently go through reports on completed investigations and issue necessary instructions and file indictments.
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