Vijitha Herath acquitted of drunk driving charge
June 1, 2016 11:14 am
JVP Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath has been acquitted from charges of driving under the influence of alcohol by the Magistrate of the Colombo Traffic Court on Wednesday (June 01).
However, he was ordered to pay Rs 1,500 government fee for two other charges of failing to prevent accident and damaging public property.
The JVP Propaganda Secretary was arrested following a road accident on Monday (May 30) night and granted police bail.
He was arrested by the Welikada police after his car reportedly crashed into a telephone pole in Rajagiriya.
Speaking to media yesterday, Herath denied allegation that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
He also pointed out that a report issued by a Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) cleared him from this charge. According to Herath, he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a telephone pole as he was trying to save a pedestrian who crossed the road unexpectedly.