Minister Athauda indicated

The Warakapola Magistrate yesterday indicted 19 suspects, including former Justice Minister and Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne, for causing Rs 1 million damage to a drinking water project inWarakappola, Kohobadeniya.

The 19 suspects, including Minister Seneviratne, Warakapola Pradeshiya Sabha member, Sarath Sumanasuriya, appeared before the Magistrate when the case was taken up.The suspects are charged with the unlawful entry to the residence of Karunanayake Jayalath Bandara of Kohobadeniya and causing an estimated Rs 1,080,000 damage to a drinking water project that was based in the said residence on 6 June 2012. The suspects pleaded not guilty for five counts, including illegal entry and causing intentional damage. The Magistrate adjourned the next hearing for 10 January 2014 and ordered the suspects to present themselves in Court. The counsels appearing for the accused expressed willingness to come to an amicable settlement. After the trial, the official vehicle of Minister Seneviratne drove into the Court premises, disregarding the objections by the police. Minister Seneviratne got into the vehicle and sped away.