Kaduwela Mayor threat case triggers court-ordered probes into alleged intimidation, property damage and police inaction complaints.
Kaduwela Mayor threat case proceedings have led the Magistrate’s Court to order investigations into alleged intimidation and property damage complaints.
Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa directed the Kaduwela, Malabe, and Welikada Police to investigate two incidents involving alleged threats and property damage targeting an attorney-at-law.
The court also directed investigations into a separate complaint of criminal intimidation allegedly involving Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal.
The order was issued after lawyers appearing for the complainant informed court that proper investigations had not been carried out into complaints previously lodged over the incidents.
According to court proceedings, attorney-at-law Nethrapani Dias had visited the Kaduwela Municipal Council office with several representatives of an animal welfare group.
They had reportedly gone there for a scheduled meeting with Mayor Jayalal.
It was alleged that during the meeting, the mayor threatened them and ordered them to leave the premises.
Following the incident, Ms. Dias lodged a complaint with Police.
However, it was further alleged that several individuals who arrived on motorbikes later followed her and caused damage to her property.
Counsel for the complainant informed court that Police had not taken any action regarding her complaint.
They further alleged that Police had instead reported facts to court based on a complaint filed by Mayor Jayalal over the incident at the Kaduwela Municipal Council.
According to the complainant’s lawyers, that complaint had been filed 13 days after the incident.
They also alleged that Police had reported facts to court without even recording statements from those involved.
Appearing on behalf of Mayor Jayalal, counsel rejected the allegations and maintained that they were false.
Magistrate Buddhadasa ordered written submissions to be filed regarding the mayor’s complaint.
The court also directed that all related complaints be taken up again on July 3.
Attorneys Kamal Wijesiri, Sandya Thalduwa, Sajith Tennakoon, and Sanjeewa Gamage appeared on behalf of Ms. Dias.
D.G.P. Karunaratne and Susantha Dodawatta appeared for Mayor Jayalal.
