Victim's original video statement true and correct: State Counsel

Senior State Counsel (SSC) Madhawa Tennakoon leading evidence against former Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha ( PS) Chairman Saruwa Liyanage Sunil, who has been indicted in the Colombo High Court, for the alleged rape of a minor, stated before court this week that, the original video statement made by the victim should be taken as the true and correct account.

When the case came up for hearing before High Court Judge Sampath Wijeratne, SSC Tennakoon played in court, the original video statement made by the victim to police soon after her alleged rape.

The alleged victim, now 19, then took the witness stand and said that sections of her original statement, given soon after the alleged incident, were incorrect.

She claimed that, the statement she made to the effect that, she had been raped by the accused, Saruwa Liyanage Sunil, was incorrect. She said two other men had raped her, but claimed the accused had committed the offence, as police had told her to do so. She further said the statement had been made due to her own ignorance and that, she now understands this to be wrong.

Her new statement was given five years after the original statement made to police.

SSC Tennakoon however, insisted that, under Evidence (Special Provisions) Act No. 32 of 1999, the original video statement made by the victim, soon after the incident, should be taken as the true and correct account

The case was postponed for Feb.28. Anil De Silva P.C., together with U.R. De Silva P.C. appeared for the accused.