Don't drag case, Magistrate tells Defence Counsel:

Kotelawala refused bail

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Harsha Sethunga who is hearing the alleged Golden Key Credit Card fraud, told Senior and Junior Defence Counsel yesterday that their prime duty is to assist court and the investigators to conclude the case without dragging it.

The Defence Counsel should also provide with material and other correct information about the suspects to court and investigators to complete investigations, the Judge observed.

The Judge yesterday refused applications for bail in respect of the suspects including the Golden Key Credit Card Company Chairman who had been remanded in connection with the Golden Key Credit Card alleged fraud and remanded them till May 21.

The Judge reserved order in respect of Chairman Lalith Kotelawela for May 21, as his bail application is pending before the Colombo High Court.

The Judge also directed the Prison authorities to produce the suspects on May 7 to extend their remand orders.

The Judge also directed the 38 directors who appeared before court on Notice not to leave the country without obtaining prior permission of the court. They were ordered to hand over a photocopy of their National Identity cards to the Court Registrar.

Deputy Solicitor General Sarath Jayamanna, who led the prosecuting team assisted by Inspector Rohan Miasbula of the CID, said upto date there had been three President's Counsel appearing for the first suspect, Chairman of the Golden Key Credit Card Company and moved for bail.

If any of the suspects, who are now in remand custody, have to collect any of the documents to be produced before court regarding the case, they could make a request to court and obtain permission from the Court to visit any office with the assistance of Prison officers, Jayamanna said.

Deputy Chairman Cecilie Kotelawela was not present in court yesterday. Counsel Senior Attorney U.R. de Silva said he could not obtain any further instructions from his client regarding her health condition.

Deputy Solicitor General Jayamanna vehemently objected to the suspects being released on bail. He said investigations could be hampered if the suspects were granted bail. Some of them will leave the country before the investigations are completed.

Jayamanna submitted to court that they have informed Singapore Interpol about Cecilie Kotelawala to obtain assistance.

At the outset, Senior Counsel for the Ceylinco Chairman, President's Counsel Reinzie Arsacularatne moving for bail submitted to court to release his client on bail to make arrangements to repay the depositors as early as possible.

The President's Counsel said his client had to negotiate with several foreigners to obtain money to settle the depositors. He said he will not leave the country as he is the Chairman of over 400 companies in the country.

>A team of Senior Counsel including President's Counsel M.L.M. Ameen, Clinton Dabare, Nalin Ladduwahetty, Anil Silva, U.R. de Silva, Anuja Premaratne, Anura Medagoda and Buddhika Jayasinghe appearing for the suspects moved court to grant bail for their clients.

President's Counsel Nigel Hatch, Ananda Kasthuriarachchi, Neville Abeyratne, Janapriya Fernando, Shanaka Ranasinghe and a team of lawyers appeared for the depositors.

The case will be called again on May 21.