CID tells Court investigations concluded in Mullaryawa shooting incident

By T. Farook Thajudeen

CID yesterday informed the Colombo Magistrate Prasanna De Alwis that investigations into the killing of four persons including the former Parliamentarian and President’s advisor Bharatha Lackshman Premachandra have been concluded.

However, they said the prosecution is uncertain when the statements of suspect Duminda Silva would be recordable due to his physical and mental state.  

Senior State Counsel Madhava Tennakoon also submitted that the Government analyst’s report on the productions of the case too had been received by the CID and awaiting to take further action on recording the statement of Silva.

President Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya appearing for Silva submitted that during the previous case dates the daughter of Premachandra after the trial had made libel statements against the court and the Magistrate.

Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma appearing for Premachandra’s wife objected Warnakulasuriya and said that the Magistrate does not have jurisdiction to hear, to peruse or to act as an intermediate to send the documents to the Attorney General as the alleged contempt had made outside court premises.

He said the judicature Act had clearly stated that the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court has the power to investigate contempt of court made outside the court but not by the Magistrate Court,

He also said that section 5 (3) of the Constitution had clearly stated that anybody can bear any belief or idea which he or she thinks right.

Counsel Jagath Abeynaike appearing for MSD officer Gamini submitted that due to the blunders of the CID, it had unnecessarily dragged the case. He said if the CID file two separate cases in court the whole thing could be corrected. The Magistrate ordered the parties to file written submissions in court on June 26 and remanded the suspects till 19 June.