The case filed against three accused including Chief Government Whip and Urban Development Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and his wife in connection with the alleged conspiracy to extort Rs. 64 million from a businessman to fill a swamp in the Meethotamulla area in Kolonnawa, was yesterday fixed for its judgement on June 6 by the Colombo High Court.
The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakarathne.
The case was filed in 2016 and following a lengthy trial, the Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne fixed the case to deliver its verdict.
Two witnesses testified on behalf of the prosecution and the Minister and his wife recorded dock statements on behalf of the defence.
Naresh Farik, who has been named as the third accused in the case, is currently abroad and the trial was conducted in his absence. A counsel appeared for the third accused.
The Attorney General (AG) had filed indictments against Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, his wife Maureen Ranatunga and a third person, on the charge of threatening a businessman by demanding the balance sum out of Rs. 64 million.
The Attorney General filed indictments on 15 counts against the three accused, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, his spouse Maureen Ranatunga and Naresh Kumar Fareek, based on charges of committing offences between April 6, 2015 and June 2, 2015. In addition, the AG has named 65 witnesses and included 35 articles as court productions against the three accused in this case.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appeared on behalf of the Attorney General and President’s Counsel Anil Silva appeared for the defence.
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