Gnanasara Thero, Ranawaka had same attorney once - PHU

The President’s Counsel who appeared on behalf of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero was also the attorney of Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka once, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) stressed on Thursday.

PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila while speaking to reporters at a press conference held in Colombo also pointed out he had earlier warned the Minister not to drag his name into the controversy or he would have to disclose the ‘bitter truth.’

Gammanpila said that it was President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva who appeared on behalf of Minister Ranawaka in a Fundamental Rights petition filed following the abrupt end of a program which was telecast in a state owned television channel. 

“His remarks have created a boomerang effect against him,” said Gammanpila.

He also rejected allegations that President’s Counsel Silva had appeared for him, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa or former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Court cases, as claimed by the Minister.

Minister Ranawaka earlier this week charged that the Joint Opposition members including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa may know the whereabouts of Gnanasara Thero since it was Rajapaksa’s attorney who appeared on behalf of the monk.