AKD leaves PCoI without testifying; Dilrukshi Dias appears at PCoI for the 01st time

Dissanayake said when he appeared at the PCoI on the 23rd of June he requested copies of the documents produced by the Attorney General's Department and the evidence records of the complainant.

Citing he is yet to receive the required documents, the JVP leader said once received he would require a considerable period of time to peruse them.

Chairman of the PCoI Retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne said reasonable time would be given to the respondents to peruse the required documents after they are made available.

Former Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, also named as a respondent in the Avant-Garde complaint, appeared at the PCoI for the first time today.

Attorney-at-Law Janaka Tissera appearing for Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe was not given ample time by the Chair to draw the attention of the PCoI on multiple matters.

The Chairman of the Commission warned the PCoI is vested with the power to investigate the Avant-Garde matter and it cannot be reminded time and time again.

Attorney-at-Law Janaka Tissera however said, he has the right to be made aware of the reasons to name his client, who was a top-ranked officer in the Attorney General's Department, as a respondent in the matter.

He said he needs to know the evidence used to name his client as a respondent and the complaint made on the matter.

Therefore, he requested an opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses.

However, the Chairman of the Commission noted investigations with regard to an incident are launched and summons are served as per a decision made by the PCoI and the commissions time should not be wasted by raising the matter over and over.

He said the complaint comprises of 1000 to 1500 pages and a certain time is required to provide copies, adding the delay would in no way harm the respondents.