Who is Jinadasa? PCoI questions Ex-Kaduwela Magistrate

The order was made when a complaint filed by Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's Chief of Staff, was taken up for examination on Thursday (29).

Earlier, Yoshitha Rajapaksa told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry he was arrested on the 30th of January 2016 by the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division on the charges of committing financial fraud and misappropriation of public property when launching the Carlton Sports Network or CSN.

Rajapaksa said on that very day he was produced to then Kaduwela Magistrate Dhammika Hempala at 07:00 PM and when the FCID personnel was reading out the charges against him, the receiver of the telephone in the magistrate's chamber was left aside.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa said he observed the then Magistrate engaging in a phone conversation with another party.

Accordingly, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry decided to call for a telecommunication analysis report from the respective service provider with regard to the official telephone of Dhammika Hemapala.

After perusing the report, the Chairman of the Commission directed the Ex-Magistrate's attention towards a certain number mentioned in it.

It was revealed, during the said window the Ex-Magistrate was in conversation over the telephone with an individual known as Jinadasa.

When questioned by the Chairman of the Commission, Hemapala said he was not aware Jinadasa was a relative of Former UNP Minister Vajira Abeywardena, adding Jinadasa is his relative as well.

Counsel for Yoshitha Rajapaksa questioned the Ex-Magistrate, if Jinadasa was a relative why did he not call Dhammika Hemapala's mobile phone.

Further, he questioned how Jinadasa managed to call the official telephone of the magistrate while it's known a court does not operate at night on a Saturday.

Dhammika Hemapala said he does not recall the event adding he continues to have conversations with Jinadasa.