Four suspects in custody in connection with the killing of Noori Estate Superintendent Nihal Perera yesterday informed Awissawella Chief Magistrate D.H. Anushka Seneviratne that they were prepared to give evidence in camera (confidential statement) when the case was taken up for trial. The 23 suspects remanded in connection with this case were produced in the Chief Magistrate’s official chambers.

The two suspects T.W. Dinesh Chathuranga alias Pathum and Tharindu Dhananjaya alias Loku Sudu were brought to courts with their faces covered and under tight security for an identification parade.

The fifth suspect Raman Shashi Kumar, sixth suspect Perumal Ravi Kumar, seventh suspect Perumal Udayakumar and the tenth suspect Krishnavel Nishantha Kumar had informed the Magistrate that they were prepared to give evidence in camera on their own free will and were not under duress to do so.

The magistrate explained to them the situation they would be faced with, as this evidence could be used against them during the proceedings. The Magistrate allowed them time until the September 12 and 13 to reconsider their decision before giving their evidence. The fifth and the sixth suspect are expected to give evidence on the September 12 while the seventh and the tenth suspects would give their evidence on September 13.

At the previous hearing CID Sub Inspector S.M. Polwatte requested Courts to direct the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to prevent Dinesh Chathuranga alias Pathum and Tharindu Dhananjaya alias Loku Sudu from leaving the country. These two suspects were arrested at Embilipitiya and Agunakola Pelessa on Spetember 5. The Magistrate ordered that they be brought for an identification parade on September 18 and directed the suspects and the witnesses to be in Courts on that day.

The 23 suspects were further remanded till the 23. The prosecution was led by SI Polwatte and the aggrieved party by attorneys Shanaka Ranasinghe PC, A.S.M. Misba and Asanga Senaratne. The suspects were represented by attorneys Nishantha Sandalal Wijendra and Premalal Wickramaratne.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka