This was stated by the Deputy Solicitor General when the case of former cricketer Sachithra Senanayake's pressure to persuade two players who participated in the first edition of the Premier League 2020 to cheat for money was recalled.
Deputy Solicitor General Mr. Dileepa Peiris appearing for the prosecution:
Lord, the suspect was produced in court on The 6th. On that day, the court conducted a bail order analysis report and remanded the suspect in custody for nine days. On the 13th, the suspect was ordered to be presented to the Government Analyst. The government analyst has given the suspect a date to bring the suspect on another day instead of conducting this voice test on that day as some equipment in the office is defective. The suspect had promised the court on the last date of hearing that the person who gave the bottle of whiskey to Tharindu Rathnayake, who was involved in the incident, would be produced before the Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Sports Offences. Accordingly, on the 13th, Don Muditha Niranga came to the investigation unit through a lawyer.
When the Investigation Unit went to the house to take the statement of suspect Sachithra, who arrived in Sri Lanka on 29th January 2023 after being quarantined from Dubai, the suspect went inside the house saying that the investigating officers were kept outside the house and returned two hours later and handed over the mobile phone to the investigating officers.
Instead of the phone required for the investigation, he gave a different phone and told the investigating officers that he would change siMs from time to time.
In February 2023, the suspect submitted an anticipatory bail application to the court, which was rejected by the court. Police later took three statements from the suspect on court orders. He did not voluntarily cooperate with the investigation. He was brought to the police on court orders. The suspect gave 71/1, Gramodaya Mawatha, Pannipitiya address 171/1 as his residence at that time.
The last number of the person who gave the bottle of whiskey to Tharindu Rathnayake at Shangri-La Hotel has been changed. After calling the telephone analysis reports related to this person, it has been revealed that he is a Muslim student appearing for wariyapola A Level. The suspect's actions have made him act like an experienced criminal. The suspect misled and misled the investigators and gave wrong data to the investigation. The suspect claimed that his mobile phone had fallen into the river while driving a boat in Murusia. Three players Ajantha Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera and Rajeev Weerasinghe have been informed about the boat incident. They have stated that Sachithra Senanayake was with them in the same hotel and never told them that his mobile phone fell into the river.
The suspect had a 49-minute telephone conversation with Dhammika Prasad. Dhammika Prasad informed the team manager in this regard and the team manager complained to the International Cricket Council. The players then blocked an international call from the bookies. After that, the players get calls from suspect Sachithra Senanayake: -What's wrong? - Blocked the number? - Did you tell the manager about Brother Angelo? - Anti-corrosion? - I put in a word. Don't tell anybody. The word here is that, Lord, I'll bring you a bottle of whisky. Dhammika Prasad: If you do such things, we will also support our children.-Suspect Sachithra Senanayake: (naming some former veteran cricketers) They and the anti-corruption unit of the cricket board are in this game. The suspect (Mr. Dilipa Peiris mentioning the name of a former President) has encouraged this crime by saying that the President's children are also doing well. Lord, he is a man who misleads investigators with the help of the President's lawyer by writing letters of bravery. Mr. Dilipa Peiris said that Muditha's statements revealed that fifteen managers and players in Colombo and Dambulla were taken to a club and spent on them by hosting monthly parties. Who are these players? He said that he was opposed to granting bail to the suspect as further investigation should be carried out to find out who led them.
Mr. Kalinga Indratissa, The President's Counsel appearing on behalf of the suspect Mr. Sachithra Senanayake: The Investigation Unit has reported to the Court a complaint that took place during the tenure of Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. The investigation is based on alex marshall's complaint. If you look at his surroundings, there are frauds related to him. How did you find the house if you gave the wrong address? Are there any notes in this regard? The case materials should be sent to the Government Analyst five days before the suspect is presented for voice test. But the police did not do so and acted with the aim of remanding the suspect back into custody. I'm talking about what I know. I don't know about any of the others whose investigations have been completed to a certain extent. I've got three phones. Statements of five players have been obtained. In addition, I have returned to Sri Lanka six times. Lord, there is no reason not to cooperate with the investigation to avoid the court. We have continued to support. Accordingly, bail is sought on any condition.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris: The affidavits filed in the court were signed in the prison yesterday. The wrong address was given. There are video clips of the house which was locked (the video was handed over to the court). The phone number of mudita was also misplaced. I am strongly opposed to granting bail to those who have acted like this.
Magistrate:
According to Section 14(1)A of the Bail Act, it appears that the court did not see that the suspect had influenced witnesses. However, the prosecution tells the court that it is necessary to investigate who the suspect is as it is revealed that the person presented by the suspect is another person. Based on the facts revealed by him, I refuse to grant bail to the suspect on the basis of the statement made by the Investigation Unit that he wants to take a statement from the suspect again and carry out the investigation.
The Magistrate, who was denied bail as he felt that justice would be hampered, ordered the Jail Superintendent to allow the Station House Officer of the Sports Offences Special Investigation Unit to take a statement from the suspect inside the prison on the 19th of this month and remanded the suspect to further custody till the 25th of this month.
