Bharatha Lakshman killing :

Two separate probes, or one case - CID asked

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Colombo Additional Magistrate Prasanna Alwis who is hearing the assassination case of MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday to inform court on the next date whether they are conducting two separate investigations into the killing of Premachandra and the injury caused to Duminda Silva MP or treating them as one case.

On an application by the CID, the magistrate directed the Police to produce 10 suspects who were taken into custody in connection with the killing of Premachandra for an identification parade on January 23, 2012.

Five more suspects were further remanded until January 3. Two suspects had been released on bail earlier.

Answering defence counsel, CID ASP Shani Abeysekera said that they have received the Government Analyst’s report in connection with the bullets and the weapons used.

ASP Abeysekera said that the investigators had recovered 27 -T 56 bullets and five nine MM bullets at the scene of the incident.

Several Defence Counsel appeared for Sergeant Rajapuruge Gamini, who is warded at the hospital at present, said he should be made a witness and not a suspect in the case as he has not used any of the weapons taken into custody by the investigators. Replying to the Defence Counsel ASP Abeysekera said that the CID will forward a comprehensive report in connection with the use of the weapons and regarding the bullets recovered at the scene before court during trial stage. The case will be called again on January 3, 2012.