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| Thursday, 20 November 2003 |
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Udatalawinna Massacre : I ordered return of rifles - Teldeniya Magistrate by Sandasen Marasinghe Teldeniya Magistrate Preethi Inoka Ranasinghe said she ordered the Government Analyst's Department to return rifles except a few of the 29 sent to examine in connection with the current case, through a letter on November 8, 2002, when she was examined by the Additional Solicitor General Palitha Fernando, before the Trial-at-Bar hearing the Udatalawinna massacre case at the Colombo High Court, yesterday. The Trial-at-Bar comprised High Court Judges Eric Basnayake (President), Deepali Wijesundara and Sunil Rajapakse. Witness submitted that she had been working as Galle Additional Magistrate since March 1, 2001 until she was assigned as the Teldeniya Magistrate, while she was being cross-examined by the Defence Counsel R. I. Obeysekara PC. Witness further stated that the first B-report in respect of the ballot boxes was produced by CID IP G. S. Abeysekara on March 25, 2002, four months after the incident. On March 15, a suspect Shan Wanigasekara was produced before her. Five suspects including Nalin Ratgama and Kingsley Vitarana were produced before Teldeniya Acting Magistrate on March 22, 2002 by the CID IP Linton Ratnayake. The Teldeniya Magistrate observed that at the identification Parade held to identify Shan Wanigasekara three and four participants were selected from the persons accompanied by court officer and defence counsel. Defence Counsel: "Have you noted the names and addresses of the three produced by the court officer?" Witness: "No". Witness submitted that the four produced by the defence resembled the suspect closely and one was identical but she did not note it down. After careful scrutiny, the witness identified Shan Wanigasekara. When the Defence Counsel inquired as to whether the court officer had seen the suspect before the identification parade the Teldeniya Magistrate answered in the negative. Defence Counsel: "Then how did the court officer select three persons apparently similar to the suspect?" Witness: "I don't know." Further hearings resume on Thursday (20). |
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