Failed attempt by first accused in court

Sarath Malalasekera

Mohammed Ziam of Ward Place, Colombo 7, the first accused in the 23 kilos Ward Place heroin trafficking case, yesterday swallowed some liquid, suspected to be poison, while the sentence was read out by the Colombo High Court Judge Upali Abeyratne and fell inside the court cell.

While the Colombo High Court Judge reading the judgement, the first accused Ziam , had pulled out a small bottle from his waist and had swallowed it. Later he was rushed to the Colombo General Hospital to be examined by the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer (JMO).

The second accused in the case Upali Abeygunaratne was sentenced to death and the third accused Musudi Ziam, wife of the first accused, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Upali Abeyratne.

Colombo Central Senior SP Ajith Fonseka who rushed to the scene immediately after the incident had deployed a special police team assisted ASP Premalal Ranagala and Inspector W.M. Chandratilleke, OIC, Keselwatta Police to ascertain how the bottle containing some liquid in a small bottle came to the accused possession.

The Colombo High Court Judge Upali Abeyratne put off, for Monday December 17, the sentence against the first accused Ziam.

State Counsel K. Gunasekera appeared for the prosecution. Attorney-at-Law Gaston Jayakody appeared for the defence.