Secretary Saman's knowing errors regarding Ranil's wife and Maithri's UK graduation trip

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris stated yesterday (11) before the Fort Magistrate's Court that former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake acted to conceal the fact that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit to the University of Wolverhampton in Britain, to receive an honorary degree conferred upon his wife, was a private trip, even though he was aware of it.

The Additional Solicitor General made these remarks when the complaint regarding the alleged aiding and abetting of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe's private visit to London on September 22 and 23, 2023, which reportedly caused a loss of Rs. 16.2 million to the government, was called before Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththi Kumara. Ranil Wickremesinghe has been released on bail in connection with the incident, and Saman Ekanayake has been named as the second suspect.


When the complaint was called, Saman Ekanayake, who is currently in prison, was presented to the court by prison officials. Following the submission of a further investigation report by the Criminal Investigation Department regarding the incident, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris stated that some politicians and lawyers are making various statements outside the court concerning the incident, thereby influencing witnesses.





Mr. Dileepa Peiris also said this: 


Before presenting further facts of this incident to the court, the incidents that occurred before the court in the last court session should be brought to the court's attention. In the last court session, some individuals displayed various placards before the court and made various statements to the media. Some lawyers who make such statements to the media say nothing in this court. They answer outside to the facts we present to the court. This is an influence and intimidation of the Attorney General's Department and the prosecution.



This precedent set by white-collar criminals might also be followed by underworld members tomorrow or the day after. Therefore, this should be allowed. In response, the Magistrate stated that a court cannot impose restrictions on an individual expressing an opinion. He also added that if an offense is revealed under Article 15/7 of the Constitution, action can be taken against it.


He also emphasized that the lawyers of the suspects should ensure that their work does not obstruct investigations. Further elaborating on the incident, Mr. Dileepa Peiris also stated: "It cannot be said that the suspect is a corrupt state official. However, he behaves like an experienced criminal. According to his statement, the former President's trip to London was merely a stopover. But only the suspect. However, we request the court's permission to call for a report from the Government Handwriting Examiner regarding a note placed on a letter sent by the suspect concerning the trip and to investigate it."


In response, the Magistrate ordered that the relevant report be sent to the Government Analyst and the relevant memorandum be submitted to the court. Attorney Kalinga Indratissa, representing the suspect, made submissions requesting bail.  

 

He pointed out that the suspect is a person with 39 years of unblemished public service and that he cannot influence an official trip of a President. The lawyer also pointed out that this trip was arranged by Ambassador Saroja Sirisena of the British High Commission, and the related activities were carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was also pointed out that the budget for the former President's foreign trips was decided by the High Commission. He requested that his client, who has an unblemished character and cannot make decisions regarding the President's trip, be granted bail 

on bail.


Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, representing the government, stated that he is completely opposed to granting bail to the suspect. He said that the suspect secretary is the chief accounting officer and bears full responsibility for the misuse of public funds. Mr. Dileepa Peiris also said this:


There is a distance of about two hundred kilometers between London and the university you mentioned. How can the suspect say this is just an exchange when that's the case? He has complete knowledge of this trip. This suspect is the one who affixed the official seal to a fraudulent trip that squandered public funds. If public money was misused for trips, instructions have been given to investigate against former President's wife Maithree Wickremesinghe and Sanda Perera as well.


Considering the submissions made by both parties, the Magistrate ordered the suspect not to make statements to the media while in prison, as his rights are limited in such circumstances. While special reasons are not usually required to grant bail in a normal case, special reasons must be considered when granting bail in this investigation under the Public Property Act. Therefore, after considering the submissions made by both parties, the Magistrate ordered that the decision on whether to grant bail or not will be presented on the 18th. The suspect was also ordered to be remanded until then.