Duminda says cannot remember shootout

•  CID presents report after recording statement in Singapore

By T. Farook Thajudeen

The CID told a Colombo Magis-trate that Parliamentarian Duminda Silva had told in Singapore that he cannot remember anything about the shooting incident that killed former Parliamentarian Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra at Mulleriyawa.

The CID made this disclosure before Colombo Additional Magistrate Prasanna De Alwis yesterday during the magisterial inquiry into the shooting incident that took place at Walpola Junction Mullariyawa following the local Government election.

ASP Shani Abeysekera filing a report in court submitted that the CID had visited Duminda Silva in Singapore at Mount Elizabeth Hospital on 22 July and recorded his statement. Duminda Silva had stated that on the local government election day he visited the area called, Tamil Naduwatte   at Orugodawatte with his supporters and had a chat with them. Thereafter he got into a vehicle and went away. Later when he regained consciousness he was on a bed and his mother was standing next to the bed.  

Duminda Silva had told the CID that his mother told him he was in hospital. A doctor had told Duminda Silva that he was shot. Duminda Silva had told CID that he cannot say who shot him or when and where he was shot.

Neurosurgeon Keith Goa who treated Duminda Silva in Singapore by his report had asserted that he performed three surgeries to the head and hand of Silva and he has to undergo another surgery.

Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya appearing for Duminda Silva thanked the CID for recording the statement and said that his client is also a victim of the incident.

Counsel Upul Kumarap-peruma appearing for the wife of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra while thanking the CID said that since the statement of Duminda Silva is recorded by the CID the Attorney General can instruct the CID about the next step that the CID could take to accelerate the inquiry.

Magistrate Prasanna Alwis postponed further inquiry for 7 August and further remanded the 16 suspects in custody over incident. The magistrate also said that he will pronounce his order on the contempt papers filed by Hematha Warnakulasuriya against Hirunika Premachandra on that date.