Sarath Ambepitiya case : Motions filed on behalf of accused

by Sandasen Marasinghe

Two separate motions were filed on behalf of accused of the Sarath Ambepitiya murder case, before the Trial-at-Bar, pleading the case to be called on April 27 for assuring a request to obtain DNA reports and several other reports including Magisterial inquiry, by the Defence.

The Trial-at-Bar comprising High Court Judge Upali Abeyratne (President), High Court Judge W. A. T. Ratnayake and High Court Judge I. M. Abeyratne on an earlier date put off the hearing of the case for May 9. The motions filed by Attorney-at-Law Lakshman Perera pleaded to call the case on April 27, to assure the request for obtaining copies of the Government Analyst's report, DNA investigation report in connection with the current case by the defence and also to obtain copies of the statements taken by Police at the investigation into the double murder.

Inter alia the requesting documents are certified copies of statements given by the second accused of the case at the Police, bills issued by the Steam Boat Restaurant, registered documents of mobile phones bearing the No 0722-716108, 0773031846 and 0714926707, water bills and reports issued by the Finger Prints Registrar.

Further the Defence pleads the copies of statements by the accused made before the Magistrate, Copies of the statements made by the witnesses before the Police and also the statements made by the witnesses before the Magistrate.

Mohammed Niyas Naufer alias Potta Naufer, Hewavitaranage Nishantha Udaya Kumara, Sampath Thushara Abeywickrama, Henri Sujith Rohana Rupasinghe and Mirissa Patabendiarachchilage Sumedha Niroshan were indicted for conspiring to murder High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya and his Police bodyguard Chief Inspector R. A. Upali around November 19, last year and committing the double murder.