Minister Ranawaka re-issued notice in RADA case

Mega pol is& Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has been re- issued notice to appear in the Colombo High Court on October 18, to testify as a witness for the Prosecution, in relation to the criminal misappropriation case filed against the Reconstruction & Development Agency’s ( RADA) former chairman Tiran Alles and 3 others.

The Minister had been earlier noticed to appear before court on Wednesday (10), but had informed court he would be unable to do so due to urgent Parliament business. Accordingly, Colombo High Court Judge Vikum Kaluaarachchi re-issued notice on the Minister to appear in court on the 18th.

Former President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga did appear in court this week as a Prosecution witness. Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris, who led his evidence, showed the witness a copy of a presidential directive issued to set up RADA, and asked him if he could identify the document.

Lawyers for the Defence raised objections over this, stating the Prosecution was presenting secondary evidence and that, it needed to present the original document, rather than a photocopy. DSG Peiris however, argued he had a right to show the document to the witness, as the latter’s signature was on the document. After considering the argument, the judge allowed the prosecution to show the document to the witness.

Aside from Mr Alles, the other accused in the case are former LTTE Financial section head Emil Kanthan, RADA Chief Operating Officer Saliya Wickramasuriya and Dr Jay ant ha Di as Samarasinghe. The case continues without the 2nd Accused, Emil Kanthan, who is absent. The next hearing was fixed for October 18.