SUJEEWA SENASINGHE CHARGED

Deputy Justice Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe was noticed to appear before the Homagama magistrate in connection with allegations that he obstructed a police officer in the pursuit of their duties.

When the case was taken up last morning, the minister was not present

The deputy minister had allegedly obstructed a sergeant of the Aturuguriya police who told him to stop a propaganda meeting that included a road show -- which was illegal under election law.

Aturugiriya police had filed action in the Homagama magistrate’s court charging Mr. Senasinghe on seven counts.

When the case was taken up last morning, the minister was not present, and the police informed court that the summons could not be served personally on him. The lawyers appearing for the suspect told court that Mr. Senasinghe, who was a lawyer, was appearing for a case in the Supreme Court and that he was not in a position to appear before the magistrate. They requested a date after the elections, but the police objected to it.

The magistrate issued notice on the deputy minister to appear before him on August 12, and ordered police to paste the order on the door of the deputy minister’s home.

The magistrate issued notice on the deputy minister to appear before him on August 12, and ordered police to paste the order on the door of the deputy minister’s home.