Warrants for the arrest of three STF officers

By T. Farook Thajudeen

The Colombo High Court yesterday issued arrest warrants on three STF officers for failing to appear in court to give evidence for the prosecution in a case in which several accused including Venerable Uva Tenna Sumana were accused of having possessed offensive weapons during the Presidential Election at Badhiraja Viharaya Maligawatte allegedly to commit some offence.

When the names of the prosecution witnesses were called, witnesses IP Kodituwakku, SI Ranasinghe and SI Hapuarachchi were absent in court. Consequently High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksa issued the arrest warrant.

Counsel Saliya Pieris appeared with Rukshan Nanayakkara for Venerable Uvatenna Sumana and Venerable Mavelagama Sumedha.

Counsel Gamini Alwis appeared for Papanasan Rajabalan. Kuruppuraman Thamilselvam and Sandaman Subramaium. He informed the court that the fourth accused Kuruppuraman Thamilselvam is suffering from a heart ailment and a Medical Certificate would be filed in court on the next date of the case.    

The Attorney General indicted the accused Venerable Uvatenna Sumana, Venerable Mavelagama Sumedha, Papanasen Rajabalan. Kuruppuraman Thamilselvam and Sandanam Subramaium for possessing offensive weapons to cause harmful acts and for assembling with the common intention to commit the act at Bodhirajaramaya Maligawatte during the Presidential Election. Hearing of the case is postponed for June 21.