Judge Sarath Ambepitiya murder Trial-at-Bar : DNA molecules of only one male in vomit samples - Dr. Maya Gunasekara

by Sandasen Marasinghe

Dr. Maya Gunasekara said that there were DNA molecules of only one male in the vomit samples that she was provided with for testing for the DNA pattern.

Chief Executive of the Gene Tech Institute, Dr. Maya Gunasekara yesterday said so before the Trial-at-Bar hearing High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya murder case when she was cross-examined by defence counsel Nalin Indatissa.

The Trial-at-Bar comprises High Court Judges Upali Abeyratne (President), W. A. T. Ratnayake and I. M. Abeyratne.

Dr. Maya Gunasekara when she was cross examined by defence said that the vomit sample was handed over to her by a Police officer. This sample contained only one man's DNA molecules. It was brought first at night on November 19, 2004. "But we were not in a position to receive it and instructed that the vomit sample be stored in a deep freezer. The DNA pattern is observed by three experts before it was photographed.

When the witness was re-examined by Senior State Counsel Sarath Jayamanne, she said that she informed the Magistrate that there was only one male's DNA pattern the same day it was revealed.

The Attorney General indicted Mohammed Niyas Naufer alias Potta Naufer, Hewavitaranage Nishantha Udaya Kumara, Sampath Thusara Abeywickrama, Henry Sujith Rohana Rupasinghe and M. P. Sumedha Niroshana with five counts including conspiring to murder High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya and his Police bodyguard Chief Inspector R. A. Upali around November 19, 2004.

Second to fifth accused were indicted for committing the double murder on November 19, 2004 and Potta Naufer was indicted for aiding and abetting the second to fifth accused to commit the crime.

Solicitor General C. R. de Silva, Senior State Counsel Sarath Jayamanne, State Counsel Haripriya Jayasundara, State Counsel Shanil Kularatne and State Counsel Uthpalangi Rajapakse appeared for the Attorney General.

President's Counsel Tirantha Walaliyadda, Sarath Ekanayake, Ravindra de Silva, Manjula Welagedara, Akalanka Ukwatta, Ranil Velaratne, Pushpakumara Amugama and Methsiri Paranavithana instructed by Laxman Perera appeared for the first accused while Sudath Karavita appeared for the second and forth accused and Dilshan Fernando, Kelum Kumarasinghe and Nalin Indatissa appeared for the third and fifth accused. Nimal Muthukumarana on behalf of the High Court Lawyers' Association watching interests of aggrieved parties.