Man steps into witness box instead of Rohitha!

A middle-aged man had stepped into the witness box when a case against former minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena was taken up in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (30).

Earlier, Fort Magistrate Thilini Gamage imposed a travel ban on former minister Abeygunawardena and a group of people over the attack on the activists at the Galle Face Green.

When the case was taken up yesterday, a middle-aged man dressed in a t-shirt stepped into the witness box when the former minister’s name was read out.

President’s Counsel Shavendra Fernando, who appeared on behalf of Mr. Abeygunawardena, presented facts and sought permission for his client to travel to Dubai and Malaysia.

The court interpreter read out the name Rohitha Abeygunawardena, and many people in the court turned their eyes towards the witness box where the middle-aged man was seen instead of Mr. Abeygunawardena.

Aruna Court reporter confirmed that many people in the courtroom laughed at the moment.

The prison officials who were present nearby have taken him out of the witness box.