Kotte Mayor acquitted

Sarath MALALASEKERA

GANGODAVILA: Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Gangodavila Ms. Padmini N. Ranawake Gunatilleke acquitted Kotte Mayor J. M. Somadasa of the charges of theft and misappropriated of roofing sheets which were to be distributed among the poor residents of the area.

Judge Gunatilleke directed the first suspect Deputy Mayor Chintha Udaya Shantha to appear before the Colombo High Court when noticed.

Upali Senaratne, Senior Counsel for the Mayor, submitted to court that the Mirihana Police had informed the court that there was no evidence against the Mayor to charge him.

Senaratne quoting the Criminal Procedure Act and Section 120 (3) submitted to court that his client should be discharged.

Nissanka Nanayakkara with Padmakumar Senaratne appeared for the first suspect Udaya Shantha.

Upali Senaratne with Swineetha Nanayakkara, Chandana Kalansuriya and Samitha Pandithasundera appeared for the second suspect Mayor Somadasa.

Inspector S. Tillekeratne, OIC, Nugegoda SCIB with Inspector Tissa Gunatilleke conducted the investigations.