The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order suspending ongoing legal proceedings against Retired Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne, who currently serves as Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security.
The order was delivered on Thursday by a bench comprising Justices Mayadunne Corea and Mahen Gopallawa, following a petition filed by Seneviratne seeking the transfer of his case from the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court to another jurisdiction.
The case concerns a 2023 incident in which Seneviratne was accused of driving under the influence and failing to prevent a road accident. He was initially remanded and later granted bail.
Appearing for Seneviratne, Attorney-at-Law Suren Fernando, instructed by Attorney-at-Law Chandana Perera, told court that although police had informed the magistrate the Attorney General advised against pursuing the case, no such directive had been formally filed. As a result, the Additional Magistrate opted to continue the trial.
Fernando contended that this violated his client’s right to a fair trial and sought both a transfer of the case and an immediate suspension of ongoing proceedings.
The Court of Appeal has issued notice to the respondents, including the Officer-in-Charge of the Wellawatte Police, and fixed the matter for further hearing on 25 November. Objections are to be filed by 23 November.
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