Rajitha’s case postponed

• AG’s office says investigation into controversial press conference nearing completion 

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday postponed hearing the case of former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and the alleged white van drivers to 3 April.  

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayarathne directed Police to present the two suspects, Sarath Kumara and Sanjeewa Madanayake, in Court on 3 April. 

The directive came after the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that both Kumara and Madanayake were being held in custody in Gampaha in relation to an ongoing trial at the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court. 

At the hearing, Government Deputy Solicitor General Dilipa Peiris informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that investigations into the controversial “white van press conference” were nearing completion.

Defendants Senaratne and former State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) Chairman Rumi Mohammad were present in Court. 

However, defendants Kumara and Madanayake, who appeared as the alleged white van drivers at the press conference in question, had been unable to appear in Court as they had been remanded in connection to a robbery, the CID stated.

Deputy Solicitor General Peiris told Court that Kumara and Madanayake underwent a voice test at the Government Analyst’s Department and matched with the voice samples taken from the controversial press conference.

He further informed Court that a statement needed to be provided by Malith Wijenayake, Senaratne’s Media Coordinator, as it had been revealed that he had organised the press conference. Overall, the investigation into the incident had largely concluded and the entire investigation is expected to be completed within the next three weeks, Peiris divulged. Kumara and Madanayake fronted a controversial press conference organised by Senaratne where they claimed they were drivers of purported ‘white van’ abduction teams.