Patali Champika taken into custody in his home

Patali Champika taken into custody in his home

10.50 pm

A few minutes before this, magistrate court No. 4, Fort, Colombo issued orders to Colombo crimes division to remand former minister Mr. Patali Champika Ranawaka who was arrested till tomorrow (18). 

10.30 pm - update

When Patali Champika was being interrogated by Colombo crimes division, a large crowd had
gathered around the vicinity and on the assumption that some commotion might take place, the anti-riot squad too was called. Mr. Sajith Premadasa who inquired relevant matters from Mr. Patali Champika Ranawaka after coming out had told media that they are totally against this serious injustice and that they would at all times stand on his behalf. 

9.30 pm - update

Police have commenced questioning Mr. Patali Champika Ranawaka after he was taken into custody by Colombo crimes division. By now several members of parliament representing United National Party have come there and Mr. Sajith Premadasa also was present among them. After Mr. Champika Ranawaka was taken into custody and taken to police, former prime minister Ranil Wickremasingha has made inquiries at his private home in Battaramulla, it is learned.

7.30 pm - update

Former minister Mr. Patali Champika Ranawaka has been taken into custody by Colombo crimes division regarding the road accident which took place which became the subject of discussion of 2016 once more. This arrest was carried out according to instructions issued senior deputy inspector general of police by attorney general; state counsel Miss Nishara Jayaratna, co-ordinating officer of attorney general has mentioned. 

He has protested in being taken into custody on the occasion when he was to be arrested by bringing forward the argument that if a member of parliament is to be arrested, the speaker has to be notified. But the officer who came for the arrest on that occasion has gone out and has secured the approval of the deputy speaker and then made the arrest, it is said. 

Though this former minister's name was linked to the road accident which took place in Rajagiriya in 2016 where the youth Sandeep Sampath who became an invalid as a result turned out to be a case where there was no sufficient evidence against the minister, the latter was released on bail. However, after the political revolution that took place, bringing out the case once more was an act created on political grounds ... former minister has mentioned at a media briefing held a few days before. 

The case record says that causing grievous hurt to a person for negligent driving and forwarding another individual as the driver in the instance of a road accident are charges levelled at the former minister. This arrest has been carried out according to instructions issued to Colombo senior deputy inspector general of police by attorney general, Mr. Dippula de Livera. How Patali Champika Ranawaka brought forward the argument at the moment of arrest by saying about parliamentary privileges and that this course of action is contrary to law, from below