Patali’s accident: Court queries on jeep

On Aug 2, 2021

Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatte yesterday (02) ordered the plaintiffs to inform the Court in writing as to who is in charge and who is presenting to Court the State-owned jeep used by former Minister and Member of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka during an accident which caused serious injuries to a youth at Rajagiriya in 2016.

The order was issued as information had been provided to the Court earlier that the jeep which was in the possession of the Ministry of Power and Energy at that time was now under the control of the Ministry of Finance.

The High Court Judge issued these orders when the case filed by the Attorney General against Patali Champika Ranawaka and others was taken up yesterday (02).

The case was filed on 16 counts of concealing the evidence of a car accident, fabricating false evidence, aiding and abetting fabricating evidence, and committing offenses punishable under sections 190, 198, 200 and 215 of the Penal Code, including allegedly introducing another driver to replace Patali Champika and fleeing after causing injuries to a young man in the accident which occurred on or about February 28, 2016 in Rajagiriya.Dilum Thusitha Kumara, who falsely claimed to be the driver of the jeep that caused the accident, and former Welikada Police OIC Sudath Asmadala are the other accused.