By A.J.A. Abeynayake
The Colombo High Court has announced that the verdict in a case against Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, his wife Maurine, and another, for allegedly threatening a businessman and demanding money, will be given on June 6.
The case was filed during the previous yahapalana government. The Minister and others have been indicted for threatening a businessman, over the phone, and demanding Rs. 64 million from him.
The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Tillakaratne, on Monday.
The Attorney General filed indictments on 15 counts against the then Chief Minister of the Western Province, Prasanna Ranatunga, his wife Maureen Ranatunga, and Naresh Kumar Fareek, based on charges of committing offences during the period between 06 April 2015, and 02 June 2015.
They were accused of threatening a businessman named Gerard Mendis and demanding Rs. 64 million to evict unauthorised occupants from a land at Meethotamulla, in Kolonnawa, and to refill it.
Fareek, who was indicted as the third accused in the case, has fled the country and the court has decided to continue the trial in absentia.
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