Police criticised for failing to serve summons on Karannagoda

• Trial-at-Bar bench directs police to serve summons again
• Asks CID to take custody of all documents relating to 11-youth abduction case from CoI probing political victimisation

The Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar hearing the 11-youth abduction case on Monday issued summons on former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda for the fourth time, directing him to appear in court on 20 March.

The Court criticised the Police for their inability to serve summons on Karannagoda, and directed that a copy of the summons be sent by registered post, another handed over to a relative or a domestic aide, and another copy pasted at a visible place. The bench comprises High Court Judges Champa Janaki Rajaratne, Amal Ranarajah and Navaratne Marasinghe.

The Court also directed the Police to bring back to the CID all documents relating to the case which were sent to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing political victimisation. Police told the Court that all documents which were with the CID are now with the Presidential Commission.

The CoI is hearing a complaint filed by Karannagoda and Rear Admiral D.K.P. Dassanayake, stating that they are victims of political victimisation and the case against them is politically motivated.