News
Colombo court issues warrant for witness in former minister’s Monarch apartment case
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Colombo High Court has issued an open warrant to arrest and produce a witness in the case filed by the Bribery Commission against former minister and current parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake regarding his residency at an apartment located at Monarch Residencies while he was Minister of Finance, from February 12 to September 30, 2016.
The witness, Chaminda Sanath Bandara, was the signatory to the agreement signed on behalf of Walt and Row Associates, where the second defendant in the case Arjun Aloysius serves as a director, which allegedly leased the apartment to the former minister.
The witness was reported to be residing in the UK and informed the Bribery Commission that he was unable to come to Sri Lanka to give evidence in the case. Summons were issued on him earlier.
Senior State Counsel Oswald Lakshman Perera appearing on behalf of the prosecution, told courts that the witness was given the option of giving evidence through Zoom technology from Sri Lanka’s High Commission in UK, but had turned down the proposal.
Accordingly, High Court Judge Mohammad Mihal issued the warrant and ordered the commission to serve it via the International Police.
Mr Karunanayake and second accused Mr Aloysius face six charges by the commission.
The second defendant had reportedly spent Rs 11.68 million from one of his companies for the apartment, in addition to paying water and electricity bills from the company funds.
Earlier, witness Anika Wijesuriya testifying in courts when evidence was led by Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing on behalf of the Bribery Commission, said that it was her brother who found Mr Karunanayake as a tenant for the Monarch apartment and the penthouse owned by her.
Ms Wijesuriya told courts that on January 27, Mr Karunanayake’s wife Mela had inspected the apartment and thereafter Mr Aloysius visited the place and agreed to lease out the apartment. She said she was surprised as to why Mr Aloysius was leasing out the apartment for which Mr Karunanayake’s wife had agreed on.
She said that after it was informed that the monthly rental was US$ 10,500, Mr Aloysius leased out the place by paying for 6 months and an additional two-month refundable deposit. The payments were made from an account of Walt and Row Associates.
The agreement was signed on February 9, 2016 after Mr Aloysius leased out the apartment for one of his companies, but it was occupied by Mr Karunanayake’s family.
She said that after it was reported in newspapers that Mr Karunanayake was occupying the place, though Mr Aloysius rented it out, Mr Aloysius had wanted the agreement destroyed, but it was turned down.
She said that after the lease period ended they stayed for two more months and they agreed to purchase the apartment for Rs 165 million and the payment was made from a company known as Global Logistic and Transport of which Mr Karunanayake’s wife and daughter were directors. During their stay a water bill of Rs 15,000 and electricity bill of Rs 65,000 was paid by two cheques of Perpetual Capital Holdings.
Attorney-at-law Sandamali Anuruddika, who prepared the lease agreement, and attorney-at-law Michael F Sproule, who certified the agreement, testified.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara and Senior State Counsel Oswald Perera and Assistant Director of CIABOC Disna Gurusinha.
The defendants were represented by President’s Counsels Rienzie Arsekularatne and Navin Marapana.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!