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Udatalawinna massacre : Witness says he handed over 29 weapons to Govt. Analyst

by Sandasen Marasinghe

Police Sub Inspector (SI) Abeyratne Banda on Monday said, yesterday, that he handed over the 29 weapons to the Government Analyst on December 24, 2001, which were taken in connection with the Udatalawinna massacre incident, on the orders of the Teldeniya Magistrate.

He said so before the Trial-at-Bar hearing the Udatalawinna Massacre case when he was examined by Deputy Solicitor General Palitha Fernando.

The Trial-at-Bar comprises High Court Judges Eric Basnayake (President), Deepali Wijesundara and Sunil Rajapakse.

SI Abeyratne said that he was attached to Vauniya Police in December 2001 and was ordered by the IGP to join the Police investigation group on the Udatalawinna incident led by SP Udugampola. Witness further said that he went with the group to the Boyagane Army camp to take the weapons into custody and that he handed over the weapons to the Government Analyst on the orders of the Teldeniya Magistrate along with a letter given by the Court.

SI Abeyratne denied the suggestion by the Defence Counsel Anil Silva that SP Udugampola took the weapons away from the camp at 6.05 p.m. before they were sealed and returned later.

When Deputy Solicitor General Palith Fernando examined Officer In Charge (OIC) of Fraud Investigation Bureau of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) IP Piyasena Ampawala he said that he was on standby election duty for the General Election in December 2001.

He further said that since he was instructed by the then Director of CID Ashoka Jayatilake he went to Kandy at 2.50 a.m. on December 06.

When they went to the scene the bodies were removed to the Police mortuary of the Kandy Hospital. IP Nawalage, IP Hiriyadeniya and IP Mohottigedera were conducting the investigation and they did not ask any help from them.

Deputy Solicitor General Palitha Fernando, Senior State Counsel Mohan Senaviratne and Senior State Counsel Achala Wengappuli appeared for the Attorney General while President's Counsel Tirantha Walaliyadda and Anil Silva appeared for the Defence.

Further hearing resumes today.

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