Court seeks AG's advice in alleged extortion case

BY SARATH Malalasekera

COLOMBO Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Ms. Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena allowed an application by the Welikada Police to obtain the advice of the Attorney General in the case against a Sri Lankan singer, who is alleged to have attempted to extort money from the father of its singing group leader.

The Welikada Police submitting a further report stated that their investigations are not completed and moved for a date to file a further report.

Police also told court that the complainant had no money with him at the time of the alleged attempt of extortion. The police had recovered a receipt to be signed on a stamp for the money that he was to receive.

Upali Gooneratne, Senior counsel for the suspect, submitted to court that the complaint against his client was false with an ulterior motive of obtaining some CDs, which had been sent to his client by the estranged wife of the band leader.

After submissions by Nagith Wijesekera, counsel for the complainant, Judge Weerawardena allowed the application by the defence to obtain the advice of the Attorney General and postponed the case for November 7, 2005.