Trial against ex-minister Ranawaka in alleged hit and run case to begin on Dec 11

By AJA Abeynayake

Colombo High Court judge Damith Totawatta, yesterday, ordered the commencement of trial on Dec 11 in the alleged hit-and-run case filed against former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and two others over the accident in Rajagiriya that injured a youth in 2016.

The Court also instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Power to present before court the vehicle involved in the incident.

The judge issued the order following a request made by Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris.

In December 2019, Champika Ranawaka was remanded and released on bail over the accident in Rajagiriya in 2016, where a motorcyclist suffered grievous injuries.

The former Parliamentarian is reported to have fled the scene and later produced his driver Thusitha Kumara in court as the driver of the vehicle at the time of the accident.

In July, Attorney General Dappula de Livera filed indictments in the Colombo High Court against Ranawaka for causing grievous injury and rash negligent acts, among other charges.

The Colombo High Court in August indicted Thusitha Kumara and former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Welikada Police ASP Sudath Asmadala over the incident.

The Court has also issued a travel ban on the three suspects.