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British push to expedite Tangalle killing probe

1 March 2013 06:30 am - 13     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The brother of Khuram Shaikh--the British tourist who was killed in the 2011 Christmas eve tragedy at Tangalle -  accompanied by a British MP will visit the country next week in a bid to urge Lankan authorities to expedite the investigations and bring charges against those responsible for the killing of his brother.

Nasser Shaikh accompanied by British Labour Party MP Simon Danszuk will be in the country to find out the progress made in bringing those responsible for the killing to justice, a spokesman from the British High Commission told the Daily Mirror.

 “The two will be in the country on March 7 and 8 and during their visit they intend to meet a range of government officials in order to find out what progress had been made in the investigations and the legal process,” the British High Commission spokesman said.

Eight suspects including Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman (UPFA) Sampath Vidanapathirana were arrested for allegedly killing the British national and sexually assaulting his girl friend.

It was reported that the family of Shaikh and the British government had expressed concern over the delay in investigations into the case.

Khuram Shaikh, 32, from Milnrow near Rochdale was murdered at a restaurant in Tangalle on December 25, 2011 while he was on a holiday from his work as a Red Cross worker in Gaza.
 
A graduate from Salford University, Shaikh was shot and stabbed when he and his Russian girlfriend, Victoria Aleksandrovna Tkacheva, were attacked at the Tangalle restaurant.

Khuram’s brother Nassar has expressed concern over the delay in the case against the alleged killers and had told that lack of action “gives out the wrong message.” He had told media that it was “disheartening” that the suspects had not been brought to trial.

The case has been taken up by Simon Danczuk, a British Labour Party politician and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochdale who had urged the British government to press the Sri Lankan authorities to get the case moving.

 Commenting on the gruesome murder a spokesman for MP Danczuk had earlier noted that “There is some concern that political interference is playing a part, particularly as one of the suspects is a prominent politician with ties to the President.” “One year on from the murder all the suspects have been released on bail, no charges have been brought, the politician has been reinstated back into the ruling party and there is no trial on the horizon,” the spokesman said.

The Magisterial inquiry is being conducted against eight suspects including Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman (UPFA) Sampath Vidanapathirana, his private secretary Mohottige Sarath alias Sahan, Weerappuliga Pradeep Chathuranga, S. P. Januka Chathuranga, H. T. Nuwan Chnithaka, E. T. Nadeera Shaman, Nalagama Praveen Chaturanga, Saman Deshapriya and Obada Arachchige Lahiru Kelum. Meanwhile the Attorney General has given the green light to go-ahead for non-summary proceedings against the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha chairman and other suspects who are on bail. The head of the Criminal section of the AG’s department, Additional Solicitor General Suhada Gamalath said that charges will be issued on the suspects.

The suspects are to face charges of murder of the British national on Christmas Eve 2011 and causing grievous injury and sexual assault to his 23-year old Russian partner Victoria Alexandrovna.(Susitha R. Fernando)

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  Comments - 13

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  • Ann Friday, 01 March 2013 06:38 AM

    This is one of the many ways on how our country's image get's tarnished..

    DHA Friday, 01 March 2013 06:57 AM

    So much so for covering up for this case.....hang the culprits they committed murder they are not bond to walk free......

    No Problem Friday, 01 March 2013 07:10 AM

    Boys will be boys thugs will be thugs ... that's the fiddle that will be played

    PRASANNAJIT Friday, 01 March 2013 07:14 AM

    Impeachment of CJ done in 72hrs. This has taken now more than a year and court proceedings not even commenced.

    Buffaloa Citizen Friday, 01 March 2013 10:31 AM

    Ha Ha this is Rajapakse justice system at work. For the majority yakko citizens of this country, these are heroish deeds, thus the culture of lawlessness, impunity and arrogance thrives and flourishes in this country. Ask whether one sinhalese has been arrested and punished for the 1983 riots, and that will say it all.

    OMG Friday, 01 March 2013 10:35 AM

    Exactly what we needed at a time noose is being tightened in Geneva.

    Mohamed Friday, 01 March 2013 10:40 AM

    he is on bail to commit another murder

    Thomas Friday, 01 March 2013 10:46 AM

    Go to Geneva, don't come here

    Janaki Kalansuriya Friday, 01 March 2013 11:04 AM

    You'll have a life time and more to wait for justice!!!!

    Nodrog Friday, 01 March 2013 11:12 AM

    Why oh why does MR stick his neck out for all these thugs? By protecting them he only shows he is no better.

    Ravi Friday, 01 March 2013 11:17 AM

    Bit too harsh! We should never hang another human regardless of crime committed by the human.

    UK Friday, 01 March 2013 03:16 PM

    Because he himself is a thug! Simple as that.

    Janaki Kalansuriya Friday, 01 March 2013 04:03 PM

    Ravi dear, do you have a wife, sister or a daughter? What confidence you must have to be so brave to make a statement like this!!


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