Archives

Trial-at-Bar for 15 Udathalawinna suspects

by Karaliyadda group correspondent

Non summary proceedings into the Udathalawinna massacre of 10 persons on the 2001 general election day were concluded yesterday by Teldeniya Magistrate, P. Inoka Ranasinghe.

The magistrate directed the 15 suspects against whom summons have been issued to appear before the Trial-at-Bar in Colombo on November 15.

The proceedings were held against 40 suspects including former Deputy Defence Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte and his two sons Lohan and Chanuka.

The magistrate thanked all members of the bar, government officials and the media who assisted her during the proceedings.

State Counsel, Achala Wengappuli submitted that investigations in this case are proceeding in two stages.

He said out of the 29 T-56 rifles taken into custody from the Boyagane Camp and sent to the Government Analyst for investigations 23 had no relationship to the case and requested the Magistrate to order these 23 fire arms be handed over to Inspector Linton Ratnayake of the CID.

He also requested the Magistrate to direct officials at the Bogambara Prison to enable the CID to record a statement from the 40th suspect Wijesinghe Arachchilage Mahinda who had surrendered to court and to ensure that the suspect is produced before the Trial at Bar on November 15.

The magistrate remanded the 40th suspect till November 15 and directed all suspects to appear before the Trial-at-Bar on November 15.

Vijaya Wickramaratne, PC appeared for former Deputy Defence Minister, Anuruddha Ratwatte while Attorneys, Ashley Herat, Tirantha Walaliyadda and Sudath Karawita appeared for the other suspects.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager