Udatalawinna Murder Case:

Witness recounts shooting incident
 

BY SANDASEN Marasinghe

A woman residing near the Udatalawinna murder scene said that one of the shooters attempted to go near the van in which the victims were travelling and someone else prevented him from going near the vehicle at the time of the incident on 2001 General Election day.

She was being examined by the President's Counsel Wijedasa Rajapakse before the Trial-at-Bar hearing the Udatalawinna massacre case.

Trial-at-Bar comprises High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundara (President) and Sunil Rajapakse.

When President's Counsel Wijedasa Rajapakse examined Nipunika Sepalika Weragoda she said in evidence that their house was situated by the Jambugaspitiya road from where it diverges to Nawayalatenna and Udatalawinna.

She said that she was at her residence with her husband and three children around 4.45 p.m. on December 5, 2001 when she heard a vehicle knocking against something.

When she looked through the window she saw a white colour van had knocked against a post. At the same time she heard firing continuously for two minutes and saw the firing from the left side of the van.

She further said that a person attempted to go near the van and someone else shouted not to do so and they all went away in the direction of Nawayalatenna. Then her husband who was sleeping came and sent her in.

Later the one who was shot came bleeding inside the house through a frameless window and requested to save him. He later went away through the back door.

Then another two bleeding persons came and also requested to save them. Then another one came crawling towards their house. He was too weak and was seriously injured and her husband helped him to get up.

Since he requested them to remove his shoes and they were removed. Then they gave her husband a few telephone numbers and the husband went to Jayaweera's house and returned with Athula. Then Athula suggested to them take out those who were in the van and he brought one.

Thereafter, he said that there were grenades in the van. Then Palith Jayaweera had returned from Police.

"When I went in that direction I was told there were grenades" witness said.

High Court Judge Sunil Rajapakse: "Did you see grenades?"

Witness: "Yes, one person among them showed me."

She further said that many relatives of the victims came that night. "Since we were scared the Police asked us to leave the place if we wanted and we left the place and returned after a few days." She gave evidence before Police and also before the Magistrate with regard to the incident.

When witness was cross-examined by Deputy Solicitor General Palitha Fernando she said she did not talk about this evidence and the weapons they had that day were like the weapons used by Police and the Army.

"I heard some were shouting not to shoot them while one shouted to "finish" them." They talked with Police Officer Meegaswatte who visited the scene later.

When Judge Rajapakse inquired as to how long it took for them to go to the scene after the incident she said few seconds. She said that she could not remember the colour of the clothes they wore. Her attention was concentrated on the victims.

She said further that she saw two vehicles that she forgot tell it earlier and said the weapons were in the likeness of the weapons used by the Police and Army.

That she had not seen grenades prior to this incident. Deputy Solicitor General Palitha Fernando, State Counsel Achala Wengappuli and State Counsel Ayesh Ariyasinghe appeared for the prosecution while President's Counsel Wijedasa Rajapakse, Anil Silva and Sudath Karavita appeared for the Defence.