The Champika Ranawaka accident case heard testimony alleging that a former aide arranged for another driver to report to police after the crash.
The Champika Ranawaka accident case has taken a new turn after his former personal assistant testified about arranging for a driver to report to police following the Rajagiriya road accident.
Former personal assistant Harsha Bandara Thilakasiri told the Colombo High Court that he made the arrangement based on instructions and information received from the former Minister.
He gave the testimony before the court on June 25, revealing details surrounding events on the night of the alleged accident.
Testimony Reveals Driver Switch Arrangement
The witness said that on February 28, 2016, he was exercising with his foreign girlfriend, Lee, and driver Alwis at the Borelasgamuwa Walking Lane. During that time, Champika Ranawaka allegedly called Alwis and said an accident had occurred. He instructed the driver to report immediately to the Borella Police.
Harsha Bandara said he then called the former Minister directly to confirm the situation. According to his testimony, the former Minister told him, “There’s been an accident, send a driver to the police.”
However, the witness said sending Alwis from Borelasgamuwa to Borella would have taken considerable time. Therefore, he arranged for another driver, named Thusitha, to report to the police instead.
The testimony in the Champika Ranawaka accident case also described what allegedly happened later that night.
Harsha Bandara told the High Court that he returned to the official residence after the incident. The former Minister was present there at the time.
The witness emphasized that when he saw the former Minister at the official residence, he could clearly observe that Ranawaka appeared uneasy or greatly agitated.
