Case against Champika Ranawaka: Pre-trial conference scheduled for November 10

06-Nov-2026

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The Colombo High Court has scheduled a pre-trial conference for November 10 in the case against former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka over a road accident in Rajagiriya in 2016 and the alleged fabrication of evidence relating to the incident.

The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli on November 5, with Ranawaka appearing as an accused.

The case relates to an incident on February 28, 2016, near President's College in Rajagiriya, in which a motorcycle ridden by Sandeep Sampath Gunawardena, a young man, was allegedly hit, causing him serious injuries. The charges include leaving the scene without stopping after the accident and fabricating false evidence in connection with the incident.

Three principal charges have been levelled against Ranawaka.

The first charge, under Section 329 of the Penal Code and Section 151 of the Motor Traffic Act, relates to causing a serious road accident, failing to inform the police and failing to take steps to admit the injured person to hospital.

The second and third charges concern alleged violations of Sections 161(1)(a)(iii) and 161(1)(a)(iv), respectively, of the Motor Traffic Act.

The Attorney General has instituted the case against three accused: former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, his former driver Thusitha Dilum Thushara and former Welikada Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Assistant Superintendent of Police Sudath Asmeemana.

The court scheduled the pre-trial conference for November 10 following a request by the prosecution.