Lasantha killing:

CID collecting info on phone messages

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigating the killing of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga told Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Harsha Sethunga yesterday that they are collecting information about several telephone messages Wickrematunga received on the day of the incident.

Wickrematunga was killed while on his way to his office on January 8, 2009.

The suspect Sugath Perera who was taken into custody for possessing the telephone belonging to Wickrematunga was yesterday further remanded till March 18. The Judge directed the CID to submit a comprehensive report in connection with investigations to court on the next date. CID said they have recovered the National Identity Card of H. A. Jesudasan of Nuwara Eliya who is alleged to have used several telephone calls in connection with the incident taken from five telephones.

Senior Defence Counsel Athula Ranagala said his client is innocent and had no connection to the incident. The case will be called again on March 18.