The criminal case against former minister Patali Champika Ranawaka over a 2016 road accident in Rajagiriya and an alleged attempt to conceal evidence was taken up before the Colombo High Court on Wednesday, with pre-trial conferences fixed for 10 November, NewsFirst and Hiru News both reported.
High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli issued the order. Ranawaka appeared in court in person.
President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne appeared for the accused. State Counsel Samadari Piyasena appeared for the Attorney General.
What the prosecution alleges
The case is filed under 16 charges. They centre on a collision near President’s College, Rajagiriya, on 28 February 2016, in which a luxury vehicle bearing the number WP KT-7545 is alleged to have struck a motorcycle ridden by a youth named Sandeep Sampath Gunawardena, causing grievous injuries.
The prosecution further alleges the vehicle did not stop after the collision, and that false evidence was subsequently fabricated in relation to the incident.
The three principal charges
The first charge is brought under Section 329 of the Penal Code and Section 151 of the Motor Traffic Act, covering causing a serious road accident, failing to report it to police, and failing to take steps to admit the injured party to hospital.
The second alleges a violation of Section 161(1)(a)(iii) of the Motor Traffic Act, with penalties enforceable under Sections 214 or 224 of that Act.
The third alleges a violation of Section 161(1)(a)(iv), with penalties enforceable under Section 161(1)(a)(v) or Section 214.
A pre-trial conference is a procedural stage at which the court and parties settle the issues and admissions before trial proper begins. No evidence has been led, and the charges remain allegations.
