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Attack on Asoka Vidyalaya students: Case put off for October 17

The Asoka Vidyalaya students' case against cricket idol and Parliamentarian Arjuna Ranatunga, his brother Prasanna and three others was put off for October 17 by Maligakanda Magistrate and Additional District Judge Kusala Sarojani Weerawardena.

The Judge directed counsel for both parties to inform court about the decision to settle the matter before court on the next date.

The Judge made these observations when President's Counsel Daya Perera, senior counsel for the defence, informed court that his clients were willing to pay Rs. 200,000 to the affected party to settle the matter before court.

G.G.Y. Keerthiratne, counsel who watched the interests of the students and the school, said if a settlement is reached the accused should pay at least Rs. 500,000 to the injured students and the school.

Keerthiratne said Hirimuthugala Dilshan Dhanushka, one of the students, has been under psychiatric treatment for several months. He urged court to mete out justice and also obtain some service to the school by getting compensation for the students.

State Counsel Mohan Seneviratne who appeared for the prosecution with Maradana Police, said if there is a settlement in this case, both parties should agree.

After submissions by counsel for the defence and prosecution, the Judge directed them to inform about their agreement to settle the case on the next date.

The Judge said the students are free to seek remedies from a Civil Court.

Thirty-six charges were instituted against the Ranatunga brothers and three others in connection with the attack on Asoka Vidyalaya students last year.

The charges made by the Attorney General through the Maradana Police involved unlawful assembly, assault, abduction and illegal detention of Hirimutuge Dilshan Danushka, a student of the Asoka Vidyalaya on March 2, 2001.

Three other accused are K.V. Rasika Dharmaratne of Welipenna, W.K. Chandana Prasanna of Mahaduruwa and Prasanna Gunasekera Indrapala of Kosgoda.

The prosecution has listed 27 witnesses including the injured students of Asoka Vidyalaya; Dr. H.P. Wijewardena, who examined the injured students at the JMO's office;

Acting Maligakanda Magistrate Lloyd Grey who conducted the identification parade; Chief Inspector A.R. Edirisinghe, OIC, Mardana Police; SI M.V. Amaradasa of Bambalapitiya Police; and Sergeant Silva and PC Gunaratne of the Maradana Police.

Earlier on an application by Police, the Judge discharged Nishantha Priyadharshana and Nihal Silva, two suspects taken into custody in connection with the attack on the students.

The injured students are Tharindu Udyanga, Maduranga Peiris, M.S.L. Perera and Don Tharaka Ruwan. Four other students, Buddhika Wijetunga, Kalpage Nishantha, Lakmal Rohan Perera and Dilshan Dhanuska had not been present before the AJMO for examination, Sgt. Seneviratne of the Maradana police said.

Earlier, four suspects were produced before an identification parade held by Acting Magistrate Grey. Two suspects were identified by the students as the persons who assaulted them.

They were allowed bail in Rs. 2,500 and a bond of Rs. 25,000 with surety.

Colombo DIG Bodhi Liyanage is directing investigations assisted by Maradana Police, Inspector Priyanka Wijenayake, OIC, CDB, with SI Nimal Perera and Sergeant P. Seneviratne.

President's Counsel Daya Perera with T.G. Gunasekera and Anoja Premaratne appeared for the defence.

G.G.Y. Keerthiratne, U.L. Newton Uswatte and P. Wijeratne watched the interests of the victims and the witnesses in the case.

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