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Kandy double murder case : Witness says he saw daughter's body lying in the master-bedroom

by Z. M. Razik in Kandy

Prof. Nimal Seneviratne of Deveni Rajasinghe Mawatha, Kandy, giving evidence in the Kandy double murder case told Kandy Additional Magistrate Pradeep M. Abeyratne that he saw Sakuni's body lying in the master-bedroom upstairs.

Sakuni's mouth was gaged with a cloth. Amitha's body was lying on a bed in Sakuni's bedroom. There were cloth strings tied around Amitha's neck, he said.

In this case, R. W. M. S. Dharmapala (an ex-police sergeant) of Primrose Garden, Kandy is charged with the murders of Amitha Kumari Seneviratne and Ransika Sakuni Seneviratne by attacking and strangling them in their house at Deveni Rajasinghe Mawatha, Kandy on July 25, 2001.

Fifth witness Prof. Dissanayake in his evidence led by Senior State Counsel Gihan Kulatunge appearing for the prosecution with State Counsel W. M. Manoj Thalgodapitiya said, Amitha Kumari and Ransika Sakuni were his wife and daughter.

On July 25, 2001 around 8 a.m., he went to work from his home at Deveni Rajasinghe Mawatha, Kandy. At that time his wife, daughter and domestic servant Sirisena were at home. He knew Sirisena for over 20 years and Sirisena was occupying a room next to the kitchen. All bedrooms are upstairs. He and his wife used the master-bedroom. His daughter used a bedroom on the right side of the upstairs.

Witness said around 12 noon, a neighbour telephoned and told him that some thieves had entered his (witness) house. At that time Prof. Abeykoon and Prof. Kurukulasuriya were with him.

He told about the information to both professors. First he went to Peradeniya police and informed them about the message and went home. He saw two policemen standing in the compound of his house.

IP Kamal told him that Amitha and Sakuni were dead. He got a shock and attempted to enter the house. A policeman told him not to enter the house until the Kandy police visits the scene.

Witness said later he entered the house and saw Sakuni's body lying in the master-bedroom upstairs. Sakuni's mouth was gaged with a cloth. Amitha's body was lying on a bed in Sakuni's bedroom. There were cloth strings tied around Amitha's neck.

There were several drops of blood on the steps near the pantry. The same day, he identified the bodies of Amitha and Sakuni in the presence of the JMO at the mortuary of the teaching hospital, Peradeniya. Police questioned him whether he suspects any person in connection with the murders. He told police that he did not suspect any person as there were no enemies to the entire family.

Witness said in July 2000, some people cleaned a reservation land above his house and water started to flow towards his garage. A complaint was made to the Grama Sevaka Niladhari. In July 2001 a hut was built in the cleared reservation land. His wife Amitha made a complaint regarding this to the Grama Sevaka Niladhari.

He had seen the accused Dharmapala working in the cleared reservation land. He suspected that the accused was interested in the reservation land, but the accused told him that he has no interest with the reservation land.

Witness said he had met the accused several times on the road after the murders. The accused had spoken to him regarding the double murders. One day, the accused told him that if Sirisena's fingers are pricked with pins he may tell the people involved in the double murder. The accused did not attend the funerals of Amitha and Sakuni.

The accused did not attend the 7th day alms giving. The accused attended the 3rd month alms giving without an invitation. He told police that the accused and others involved with the reservation land may be involved in the double murders.

Fourth witness B. D. Sirisena and fifth witness Prof. Seneviratne were cross examined by Kithsiri Seneviratne who appeared for the accused with Sudharma Dhanapala and Champika Gunasinghe.

The Additional Magistrate put off further inquiry for March 14 and directed the accused and witnesses to appear in court on the next inquiry date.

Senior State Counsel Gihan Kulatunge with State Counsel W. M. Manoj Thalgodapitiya appeared for the prosecution.

Wijaya Wickremaratne PC with Saman Kariyawasam, Hirantha Herath and Dhammika Ariyadasa watched the interests of the aggrieved party.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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