Verdict put off in Wattala accident deaths

by Malmi Sellahanadi

City Coroner Edward Ahangama yesterday postponed the verdict into the deaths of three youth in a vehicle crash at Wattala, for October 16th.

The victims in the mishap are Nandana Dhammika Disananayake (22), Tusitha Danushka Dissanayake (27), E. Don Jayashantha (27). They were critically injured when their car crashed in to the surrounding wall of a Hotel wall near the Wattala junction on Sunday morning. All three victims succumbed to their injuries at the Colombo National Hospital.

The driver of the vehicle had sneaked out of the Hospital where he was being treated and a Police search is on to locate him.

R. Arachchige Mohan Perera, a security officer at Samara Hotel,Wattala and an eye witness to the incident giving evidence before City Coroner Edward Ahangama said, he saw a vehicle coming from the direction of Negombo heading towards Colombo while he was closing the gate. He ran for cover when he saw a vehicle suddenly darting in his direction. The wall broke where the vehicle hit it.

Don Gamini Dissanayake (57) Nandana's father giving evidence before city coroner Edward Ahangama said,the victim was second of his three children.He left home on Saturday (17) at 4.00 pm. His son told him that he was going to the airport with his nephew Tusitha.

Oliver Hector Dissanayake (54) Tusitha's father giving evidence before city coroner said, the victim the eldest one his three children. His son returned from abroad on February, 2005.

E. Don Priyashantha (24) the other victim's brother giving evidence before the city coroner said, victim was the eldest in the family of three children and was a computer operator. City Coroner Edward Ahangama put off the inquest on October, 16. Evidence was led by Wattala police.