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| Tuesday, 18 May 2004 |
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by Sarath Malalasekera When the Thilanga Sumathipala case was called before the Colombo Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena yesterday on an application by Senior State Counsel Vijith Malalgoda, the Court house was cleared following fears of a threat to several prosecution witnesses in the case. Court directed ASP Premalal Ranagala to clear the court and allow only the close family members of Thilanga Sumathipala, lawyers and the media to follow the proceedings. President's Counsel Gamini Marapana, Senior Counsel for Sumathipala, objected to hearing the proceedings in camera and Sumathipala's relatives allowed to be present in court while the proceedings are on. Sajith Malaka Methmal Amerasinghe, a trader of Dambulla and a cousin of assassinated Dhammika Amerasinghe, giving evidence yesterday said that he was living with late Dhammika Amerasinghe in Moratuwa with Dhammika's family for about two years. Examined by Senior State Counsel Vijith Malalgoda, witness said that Dhammika used to change vehicles very often. Shown several photographs of Dhammika Amerasinghe pasted on to a number of Immigration and Emigration application forms, witness admitted that those photographs were of Dhammika Amerasinghe. Witness said that he had never spoken to Thilanga Sumathipala but had seen him on television and his pictures in newspapers. Questioned at length about the passport of Dhammika Amerasinghe, witness said that Dhammika possessed three passports. He used to travel on these three passports. Once in 1998 he (witness) dropped Dhammika at the Airport. Witness visited the Airport with Dhammika's mother, wife and Chaminda Godage. Answering Court witness said that he left Dhammika in December 1999 after Dhammika shot him on his leg. Cross-examined by President's Counsel Gamini Marapana, witness said that he and several others including Mahinda Godage and Dhammika Amerasinghe were arrested in connection with the killing of Chutte. Witness said that the CID recorded his statement last year in connection with this case. Sri Lanka Telecom Chairman and former Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala is charged under the Immigration and Emigration Act, for aiding and abetting an underworld gang leader Dhammika Perera alias Dhammika Amerasinghe to travel to England to witness the Cricket World Cup in 1999 on a forged passport. The offence had been committed between April 1, 1999 and June 15, 1999. Earlier Sumathipala pleaded not guilty to the charges read out to him. Senior State Counsel Vjith Malalgoda, Senior State Counsel Yasantha Kodagoda, Senior State Counsel Priyantha Nawanna, State Counsel Amendra Seneviratne and Prosecuting Attorney Rohan Jayasundera appeared for the Attorney General with the CID. President's Counsel Gamini Marapana, Rienzie Arasacularatne PC, Dr. Harsha Cabral, Navin Marapana, Harin Gomes, Ranjan Srikantha, Wasantha Batagoda appeared for Thilanga Sumathipala. The proceedings were adjourned until May 24. |
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