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Jayawardhanapura student killing: Two suspects identified

by Sarath Malalasekera and Manjula Fernando

Two suspects in the undergraduate Samantha Vithanage killing were identified by noon yesterday by prosecution witnesses at an identification parade. Altogether 38 suspects are to be brought before the parade which was in progress as this edition went to press.

The identification parade was held before the Gangodawila Magistrate and Additional District Judge Deepal Hettiarachchi amidst tight security in and around the court compound yesterday.

The two students identified were Dilruksha Rupasena and Nishshanka Jayasinghe. University sources said the two were members of the Progressive Front which holds the power of the University's main student council.

The Jayawardhanapura University student council is a branch of the Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) backed by the JVP. Samantha, a third year Management student of the Jayawardhanapura university was killed in a brutal attack on the campus premises on November 7. He was a student who resisted ragging in university. Police said they are producing 10 prosecution witnesses to identify the suspects who are alleged to have been involved in the killing.

Police have tightened security at the court house from the previous day. The sub-road leading to the Magistrate's Court was barricaded and guarded.

Large crowds gathered outside the court premises to witness the proceedings. There were placards and banners condemning the killing.

Nugegoda ASP Mahesh Samaradivakara, ASP Nihal Samaraweera, Chief Inspector K.A.Premadasa HQI Mirihana, Inspector Ajith Dahanayake Crime OIC and Inspector Suresh De Silva, Dehiwala Crimes OIC were conducting the security arrangements at the Magistrate court.

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