Wamanan case sent to AG for ruling

Wamanan A.

By: Ananda Weerasuriya
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court that investigations have been concluded into the allegation made by Minister Mano Wijeratne that Arthur Wamanan, a journalist attached to the Sunday Leader newspaper, had demanded Rs.5 Million, over the phone, not to publish a news item pertaining to the Minister in that paper.
It is alleged that Minister Wijeratne received a threatening phone call from Arthur Wamanan on or around October 22, 2007. The Minister had subsequently complained to the Wellawatte Police, which led to an order from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to the CID to conduct investigations into the matter immediately.

Consequently, Arthur Wamanan was arrested and subsequently released on bail.

The CID, after concluding its investigations, which took almost two years, submitted a report to the Magistrate’s Courts yesterday (19).

Magistrate Harsha Sethunga, told Police to forward the report to the Attorney General in order to seek guidance on further action, if any. Counsel Athula Ranagala appeared for journalist Arthur Wamanan.

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