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by Wasantha Ramanayake

The Court of Appeal Tuesday issued notice on the Director CID and the Attorney General in three bail applications filed on behalf of the former Deputy Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte and his two sons in connection with the Pallethalawinna massacre.

Petitioner Ramani Ratwatte claimed that her husband was taken into custody by the CID officers on the allegations of conspiring to commit and abet the murder of 10 persons and attempted to murder five others at Pallethalawinna in Wattegama on December 5, 2001. The suspect, who was 63, had been receiving treatment for several serious ailments and also he was a key target of the LTTE.

Petitioner pleaded that the incarceration will endanger the life of the suspect both healthwise and securitywise.

In the other two applications, petitioners, Helene Amanda Neluka and Aparna Daphne Ratwatte, filing the application on behalf of Lohan and Chanuka Ratwatte claimed that the suspects were taken into custody when they had surrendered to the first respondent, the Director CID, on February 23, on allegations of murdering 10 persons by shooting on December 5, 2001.

They alleged that the suspects have been falsely implicated by political motives of adverse parties in order to bring disrepute to their family.

Two petitioners Helene Amanda Neluka and Aparna Daphne Ratwatte cited the Director CID and the Attorney General as respondents.

Ranjit Abeysooriya PC with Lanka de Silva instructed by Koggala Wellala Bandula appeared for petitioner, Ramani Ratwatte.

T. Thirantha Walaliyadda instructed by Janaka Bandara appeared for petitioners Helene Amanda and Aparna Daphne Ratwatte.

The inquiry was fixed for May 15.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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