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| Saturday, 31 January 2004 |
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by Sarath Malalasekera The Colombo Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena yesterday framed charges against Sri Lanka Telecom Chairman and Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala, under the Immigration and Emigration Act, for aiding and abetting an underworld gang leader Dhammika Perera alias Dhammika Amarasinghe to travel to England to witness the World Cup Cricket in 1999 on a forged passport. The offence had been committed between April 1, 1999 and June 15, 1999. When the Court Mudliyar read out the charges, Thilanga Sumathipala, who was in a wheelchair, pleaded not guilty to the charges read out to him. After lengthy submissions by the Senior defence counsel Rienzie Arasecularatne PC, and Deputy Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath, who led the prosecuting team, the Judge fixed the trial for February 10 at 2 p.m. The trial will also commence on February 13, 17, 19 and 20 at 2 p.m. on each day. He was remanded till February 10. At the commencement of the proceedings yesterday Arasecularatne submitted to court that no charges could be framed against his client as there is no sufficient evidence to prove that Thilanga Sumathipala had aided and abetted Dhammika Amarasinghe to travel to England to witness the World Cup Cricket on a forged passport. Sumathipala has directed the Bank to issue $ 1,500 to Dhammika Amarasinghe to obtain travellers cheques. This direction had been signed by another responsible officer of the Cricket Board, but he is not before court. The prosecution had not submitted to court two important documents issued by the Visa Officer of the British High Commission and the Interpol London, Arasecularatne submitted. Answering the Judge Deputy Solicitor General Gamlath said that the Court is free to frame charges, or not, against the suspect considering the facts reported to court earlier. At this stage the Judge observed that the submissions made by Senior Defence Counsel could be made during the trial and requested him (Arasecularatne) to assist the court to fix dates for trial, considering the health condition of the accused who is now in remand custody. Sumathipala was brought to court premises by an Ambulance belonged to the Colombo National Hospital and taken to the Court House in a wheelchair as he was unable to walk due to a spine ailment. The first accused in the case Dhammika Amarasinghe was killed while he was being taken to the prison cell from the Court No. 6 of the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court on January 9 morning. The Deputy Solicitor General requested court to ascertain from the Commissioner General of Prisons that why he did not follow the court order to take the suspect to remand prison hospital before he was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital. The DSG pointed out to court that the Sumathipala was not taken to the prison hospital before he being taken to the Colombo National Hospital. The Commissioner General of Prisons has acted in a highly irresponsible manner, the DSG added. Deputy Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath, Senior State Counsel Yasantha Kodagoda, Senior State Counsel Vijith Malalgoda, Senior State Counsel Priyantha Nawana, State Counsel Rohan Jayasundera, Dulip Jayakody and Damith Perera appeared for the Attorney General with the CID. President's Counsel D.P. Kumarasinghe, Ananda Wijesekera, Rienzie Arasecularatne, Kolitha Dharmawardena, Lakshman Ranasinghe, Niroshana Perera, Harin Gomes, Sampath Soysa, Ranjan Sri Kantha, Channa Ranasinghe and Ajith Jayatunga appeared for Thilanga Sumathipala. |
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