Crocodile claim at 2019 news conference: Arrest warrant on key state witness

The Colombo High Court has issued an arrest warrant for the prosecution’s main witness in a case filed against former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and former State Pharmaceuticals Corporation Chairman Rumy Mohamed.

The case had been filed against the accused over a controversial claim made at a 2019 pre-election media conference to the effect that the then-presidential candidate, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fed people who were abducted in white vans to crocodiles.

Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatte issued the arrest warrant for the prosecution’s main witness in the case, S.A. Sarath Kumara, after Senior Deputy Solicitor General (SDSG) Dileepa Peiris submitted a report to the court stating that the witness was deliberately avoiding court.

In his report, the DSG said the witness’s evidence was vital for the trial since he also took part in the news conference with the accused.

The prosecution had earlier requested a report from the Department of Prisons to ascertain whether the witness had been imprisoned in relation to any separate case, given his history of criminal activity. The Prisons Department responded that no such person was held in any prison.

Making submissions along with Senior State Counsel Padmal Weerasinghe, SDSG Peiris told court that the Prison’s Department response proves that the suspect was deliberately avoiding appearing in court and to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Having considered the submissions, Judge Thotawatte noted that the suspect seemed reluctant to give evidence in court and issued a warrant for his arrest. The case was postponed to March 15.