Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura yesterday (7) ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to produce former State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe before court on 16 July and to submit medical reports confirming his overseas medical treatment.
The order was issued in relation to an ongoing case involving the alleged illegal assembly of a luxury V8 motor vehicle, reportedly worth around Rs. 100 million. The case was taken up at the Fort Magistrate’s Court recently.
Deputy Solicitor General Shakthi Jagoda Arachchi, appearing on behalf of the prosecution, told the court that Senasinghe has been summoned six times to give a statement regarding the incident, but has failed to appear.
CID officials had reportedly visited Senasinghe’s residence in Kollupitiya several times, only to find the premises locked and secured with padlocks, the Deputy Solicitor General noted. He further stated that if the former minister continues to evade the investigation, he could be named as a suspect and taken into custody.
Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, appearing for Senasinghe, informed the court that his client is currently overseas receiving medical treatment and is expected to return to the country in a few days.
During the proceedings, when Deputy Solicitor General Jagoda Arachchi sought permission to make further submissions, Ladduwahetty objected, arguing that it would be inappropriate to present additional submissions in the absence of the defendant in open court. After considering both parties’ statements, the Magistrate granted permission to the Deputy Solicitor General to proceed.
Following the submissions, Magistrate Lankapura ordered that Sujeewa Senasinghe be produced before court on 16 July and that medical documentation verifying his treatment abroad be submitted. The case will be called again on that date.
