A head of the Presidential Media Division pleaded guilty yesterday (7th) before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court in connection with an incident in which he allegedly made a statement on social media that insulted Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who served as the President during the struggle, and caused discord between the races.
The person who pleaded guilty is Duminda Senarath. Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga, who strongly warned the suspect, ordered that the suspect be released from the case.
When the case filed against the suspect by the Criminal Investigation Department was taken up yesterday, the suspect’s lawyer Lalith Pathirana presented his arguments and requested that his client be released without punishment since he had pleaded guilty to the relevant charges.
During the recent protests, a false statement was posted on a Facebook page maintained by the suspect, stating that he had promised Minister Ali Sabri that 100 Kati courts would be established across the country if Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected President, officials of the Criminal Investigation Department informed the court.
After considering the facts, the Chief Magistrate admonished the suspect and ordered his release from the case.