‘High priority for Bharatha killing investigation’

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

A serious investigation is underway regarding the killing of Presidential Director General on Trade Union Affairs Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra who died in a shooting incident, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratna told the Daily News yesterday.

Several suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, including two suspects who had left the country after the incident and were arrested in Tamil Nadu, the minister said. The main suspect in the incident was also arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department, he said.

‘Even Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has asked for a full scale inquiry into the matter with a call to bring all suspects in this connection to book, he said.

Senaratna said the family members of the deceased, including his two sisters, have called for an independent investigation into the matter.

‘They have announced that they do not point fingers at the government regarding the incident at a press conference held yesterday at Nippon Hotel in Colombo. Senaratna said. Hight priority investigations are in progress at present.

‘The government has deployed its best CID units to carry out the investigation.

“ In this matter, some people have expressed their concern about what would be the fate of MP Duminda Silva who is currently in the Intensive Care Unit of the Jayawardenapura Hospital.

‘They are concerned about him being arrested,” said Senaratna.