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Judge Sarath Ambepitiya killing:
CCD directed to return documents
BY SARATH Malalasekera
COLOMBO Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Sarojini Kusala
Weerawardena directed the Colombo Crime Division to return the documents
including briefs in Judge Sarath Ambepitya's vehicle on the day the
judge and his bodyguard were killed, if not necessary for their
investigations.
Earlier, the Judge directed the Government Analyst to
produce all firearms used in the killing to court on the next date.
At the outset, Sub Inspector R. M. A. Rajapaksa filing a
further report told court that the suspects would be indicted by the
Attorney General before the High Court of Colombo.
Mohamed Niyas Nawfer alias Potta Nawfer and the other
six suspects, Sujeewa Udana Perera, Nishantha Udaya Kumara, Sampath
Thusara Abeywickrema, Sujith Rohana, Sumedha Niroshan and Lasantha
Kumara were further remanded till March 16, 2005.
Judge Weerawardena refused an application by the counsel
for Potta Nawfer to obtain a copy of the complaint made by his client to
the IGP in connection with an assault by the police.
"That complaint is not a document in this case. The
Police will take separate action in connection with that complaint," the
Judge observed.
Investigators told court that the Police Narcotics
Bureau (PNB) is conducting separate investigations against Nawfer in
connection with drug trafficking.
Investigations also revealed that Nawfer had supplied
weapons to the first and the second suspects in the case to commit the
murder of Judge Ambepitiya and his bodyguard.
Nawfer is also alleged to have been involved in the
killing of Namal Gunawardena on October 11 at Kollupitiya, Police told
court.
Earlier, two gunmen were identified at the parade by
several prosecution witnesses. They are Nishantha Udayakumara of Malabe
and Sampath Thusara Wijewardena of Matara.
CCD Director Senior SP Sarath Lugoda is investigating
assisted by ASPs Rohana Jayawardena, Palitha Fernando, Ranmal
Kodituwakku, Inspector Nuwan Wedisinghe, OIC, CCD and SI R. M. A.
Rajapaksa and five teams deployed by IGP Chandra Fernando.
Neil Dias, K. S. Ratnavel and Suranga Bandara watched
the interests of Ambepitiya's family.
President's Counsel Thirantha Walaliyadda with Methsiri
Paranavitharana instructed by Lakshman Perera appeared for Nawfer.
Crimes and Criminal Intelligence and Narcotics DIG
Jayantha Wickremaratne and Colombo DIG Sirisena Herath are investigating
into the killings.
Ambepitiya was shot dead as he arrived at his official
residence at Sarana Mawatha off Bauddhaloka Mawatha Colombo 7 along with
his police bodyguard Upali on November 19, 2004. |
