Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday said that Minister Patali Champika Ranwaka who was alleged to have driven a vehicle belonging to the government and knocked down motorcycle at Rajagiriya and then fled the scene had committed four offences––negligent driving, fleeing the scene of an accident, getting another person to own up to the offence and driving a government vehicle without authority.

On the other hand, Gammanpila said the police had also committed a serious offence by taking down the eyewitnesses’ complaint in a different book instead of the CIB and changing the time of surrendering the vehicle allegedly driven by Minister Ranawaka. “This was a move by the police to mislead the courts, “Gammanpila said, adding that action should be taken against the errant police personnel.

Minister Ranawaka had claimed that the motorcycle which met with the accident was not permitted to run on the roads as its cylinder capacity was too high, Gammapila said. “But, the Motor Traffic Commissioner has issued a licence plate for the motorcycle.” Overtures had been made to the witnesses to come and meet the Minister by third parties and it was a punishable offence under our law, Gammanpila said.

One of the victims, Sandeep Sampath Gunawardena, is in a serious condition in hospital.

Gammanpila said: “When politicians fall sick they are taken for overseas treatment at government expense. Why hasn’t the youth been sent overseas for treatment?”

Courtesy:The Island