The Fort Magistrate yesterday (18) questioned the Police over the delay in investigations against Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, who is accused of unlawfully entering the Presidential Secretariat during the 2022 Aragalaya protests.
Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara inquired why investigations against Samarasinghe and 48 others had been delayed for nearly four years. The case, filed by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), relates to the alleged unlawful entry into the Presidential Secretariat on or around 14 July 2022.
The matter was taken up again before court yesterday (18). Minister Samarasinghe, who has been released on bail, appeared before the court along with several other accused, including Lanka Teachers’ Union Secretary Joseph Stalin, veteran actress Damitha Abeyratne and Duminda Nagamuwa.
Meanwhile, the Magistrate issued arrest warrants against four accused who failed to appear before court.
The case has been postponed for further proceedings.
