Threatening call played in open court

An audio recording pertaining to a threatening telephone call alleged to have made by former Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunge demanding money in a land deal was played in open court yesterday.

 An audio recording of a telephone call conversation between Prasanna Ranatunge and businessman Gehard Mendis, the virtual complainant in the alleged extortion case was yesterday played in the presence of Colombo High Court Judge Champa Janaki Rajaratne.

Businessman Gehard Mendis, 54, the complainant in the case filed against three accused including Gampaha District MP Prasanna Ranatunge and his wife yesterday informed Colombo High Court that Prasanna Ranatunge while he was Western Province Chief Minister in 2015, had threatened him over the phone demanding the rest of the money involved in a land deal.

Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige appearing for the Attorney General informed court that out of six audio recordings, the prosecution will play three recordings in open court. Further trial was fixed for June 11.

The Attorney General (AG) had filed indictments against former Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunge, his wife Maureen Ranatunge and another person on the charge of threatening a businessman demanding the rest of money out of Rs.64 million.

The witness had said he purchased a 2.2 acre land in Meethotamulla and he sought former Chief Minister’s assistance to evacuate unlawful occupants on that land and fill it with soil.

He further said former Chief Minister, his wife along with two others had entered into an agreement with him and Ranatunge had demanded him to pay Rs.64 million.

Prosecution evidence was led by Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige and Senior State Counsel Shavindra Wickrema.

President’s Counsel Anil Silva with counsel Mary Dickmon appeared for the accused.

At a previous occasion, Colombo High Court decided to proceed the trial against Gampaha District Parliamentarian Prasanna Ranatunge and his wife in absentia of third accused Naresh Kumar Fareek who was evading courts from the beginning of investigations. MP Prasanna Ranatunge and his wife are currently on bail.

The Attorney General filed indictments on 15 counts against three accused Prasanna Ranatunge, Maureen Ranatunge and Naresh Kumar Fareek based on charges of committing offences between April 6, 2015 and June 2, 2015.

In addition, the AG has named 65 witnesses and included 35 articles as court productions against three accused in this case.