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Udatalawinna massacre: : Counsel moves for arrest of further suspect

by Karaliyadda gr. cor. R. G. Wijesiri

When the case relating to the Udatalawinna massacre of 10 persons was taken up for trial before Teldeniya Magistrate P. Inoka Ranasinghe on October 2, State Counsel Achala Wengappuli, for the prosecution moved for the arrest of a further suspect, Wijesinghe Arachchilage Mahinda alias Pan Mahinda, an employee of the Petroleum Corporation, as the 40th suspect.

In this case 39 suspects including former Deputy Defence Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte and his two sons Lohan and Chanaka stood accused of the murder of 10 persons at Udathalawinna, Pathadumbara, on the last Parliamentary Election Day.

Moving for the arrest of the 40th suspect, Pan Mahinda, State Counsel Wengappuli at the instance of the CID, submitted to Court that Pan Mahinda was attempting to leave the country from Katunayake Airport.

Out of the 39 suspects, 31 have already been released on bail and the inquiry is now proceeding against 11 suspects out of whom 8 are yet under remand custody. Of the 8 soldier suspects in remand, six have been granted bail by the High Court and they are to be produced before Teldeniya Magistrate on October 04, to furnish bail.

Attorney-at-Law Hiranth Walaliyadda on behalf of the 24th suspect Indika Siriwardene urged Court to urgently call for medical reports in respect of the condition of his client as such reports were not filed in Court on the last three occasions.

The 8 suspects not on bail were further remanded till October 04.

President's Counsel Wijaya Wickremaratne with Hirantha Walaliyadda and Ashley Herath, Attorneys-at-Law appeared for the suspects while State Counsel Achala Wengappuli with IP Linton Ratnayake appeared for the prosecution.

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