Indictment served on former principal

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Former Principal of Ananda College, Colombo, B.A. Abeyratne was served indictment before the Colombo High Court yesterday for allegedly providing forged documents to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in 2005.

Chief Inspector W.M. Lionel Wijesekara of the CID giving evidence before Colombo High Court Judge Sunil Rajapakse, stated that he was given three letters by the accused as if they were written by him (Principal) but knowing otherwise for an investigation of alleged malpractice in connection with Grade One Admissions in 2005.

Examined by Senior State Counsel Gihan Kulathunga, CI Wijesekara said the suspect procured three letters to the CID, one addressed to Wickrama Hennayake in 2003, another addressed to the Old Anandians' Sports Club President in 2003 and another addressed to Nalanda College Principal in 2001 as if the letters had been written by himself but knowing otherwise. Witness obtained those letters from the accused at the school.

Wijesekara stated that he had to stay at the school for nearly 25 minutes to obtain the letters. He endorsed a receipt to the effect that he obtained the three documents from the accused. Cross examined by President's Counsel D.P Kumarasinghe appearing for the defence, CI Wijesekara said he was able to place his signature on the three letters but could not get the accused's signature on them.

The Attorney General filed indictment against B.A. Abeyratne with six counts for forwarding three letters to CI Wijesekara for an investigation as if they were written by him (Principal) but were allegedly forged documents.