Two indicted in Kadirgamar assassination

Sandasen Marasinghe

Indictment was served before Colombo High Court Judge Kumuduni Wickramasinghe on two accused in connection with former Foreign Minister Laxman Kadirgamar’s assassination.

The prosecution commenced leading evidence from the late Kadirgamar’s personal guard Major Suranga Niroshana Manathunga (36) of the Commando Regiment after the accused pleaded not guilty.

Attorney - General filed indictment against six including LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and Pottuamman for conspiring to assassinate Laxman Kadirgamar and committing the crime at his residence in Longden Place, Colombo on August 12, 2005.

The Court served indictment on Muttaiyah Sahadevan and Isithor Arokyanathan alias Babu. The other names were removed from the indictment after the Court was informed that they were dead. Major Manathunga in his evidence stated that he was appointed a guard to the former Minister in 2001 when he was a Captain.

The Minister was residing at his official residence but once in a while he went to his own residence at Buller’s Road. Minister had received threats to his life from the LTTE.

Deputy Solicitor Generar Kapila Vaidyaratne, Senior State Counsel Shanil Kularatne and State Counsel Shehan de Silva appeared for the Attorney- General. The trial was put off for October 14.