Kadirgamar trial put off for December 14

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Major Suranga Niroshana Manathunga (36) of the Commando Regiment giving evidence at the Former Foreign Minister Laxman Kadirgamar assassination case said that the Minister arrived at his own house at Longden Place around 6.45 p.m. He had nearly 26 personnel for his security.

Major Manathunga made this observation before Colombo High Court Judge Kumuduni Wickramasinghe when he was examined by the Deputy Solicitor General Kapila Vaidyaratne. Major Manathunga also said that the residence of Minister Kadirgamar was surrounded with a parapet wall while there were few towers erected for observation by the guards.

There was a three storey building in front of the gate opened to the Bullers Cresent. But it had a blind wall facing Minister Kadirgamar's residence.

Major Manathunga further stated in his evidence that the house of Imitiyas Bakeer Markar was separated from Minister Kadirgamar's house with a parapet wall. Major Manathunga giving evidence said that on August 12, 2005, the day Minister Kadirgamar was assassinated, he went with the Minister to the BMICH for a ceremony with other security guards. Before the Minister reached his house personal guards visited the house to ensure his security. The Minister reached the residence at about 6.45 p.m.

Attorney General filed indictment against six including LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabakaran 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. Others were informed to be dead.

Deputy Solicitor General Kapila Vaidyaratne, Senior State Counsel Shanil Kularatne and State Counsel Shehan de Silva appeared for the Attorney General.

The trial was put off for December 14.