Lasantha killing:

CID says checking 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 received by Wickrematunga on his telephone 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 April 1.

The Judge yesterday directed the CID to submit a comprehensive report in connection with the investigations to court on the next date.

The CID said they have recovered the National Identity Card of H. A. Jesudasan of Nuwara Eliya who allegedly used several telephones in connection with the incident.

Senior Defence Counsel Athula Ranagala said his client is innocent and had no connection to the incident.

The case will be called again on April 1.