Trial against State Minister Palitha Range Bandara begins

The trial against State Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Palitha Range Bandara commenced yesterday at the Colombo High Court.

The Court commenced recording evidence in the case filed against Range Bandara and a businessman for allegedly aiding and abetting to present a vehicle registration permit for an illegally assembled vehicle. When the case was called, the Judicial Translator read out the charges against the accused state minister and the businessman.

Counsel for the defense, Attorney Ms. Savithri Fernando informed the court that the first and second witnesses have informed that they are not interested in the case and that her client has to attend the parliamentary session and requested another day for recording evidence from witnesses. Deputy Solicitor General Dilan Ratnayaka who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General, said the two witnesses had given affidavits to the Attorney General and those affidavits are being studied. The Deputy Solicitor General also said that the Criminal Investigation Department has begun an investigation to find out whether the witnesses had made their statements voluntarily.

Further trial was fixed for August 25.