Khuram Murder case: PS Chief pleads innocence

7 July 2014 05:28 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidana Pathirana today making a statement from the dock during the Khuram Sheik murder trial told High Court Judge Rohini Walgama said that his political rivals had intentionally involved him in the Khuram Sheik murder case in a bid to tarnish his character and to damage his political career.

He said he joined politics at 24 and since then served his constituents. He said he did not have any grudge with the deceased or his girl friend and that he did not engage in any kind of brawl with the victim or raped Victoria Alexandra in December 24, 2011 at the Tangalle Resort. He also said he did not have any previous criminal record and was not answerable for the killing.

First accused A Lahiru Kelum making his dock statement said he was born in 1993 and was 18 when the incident took place at the Tangalle Resort. He said his family comprised his parents and two younger sisters. He said he studied up to the G.C.E ordinary level. He said on the day of the Christmas party in the hotel he went to the hotel to around 7.30 or 8.00 p m to take part in the dance.

He said about 150 locals and foreigners participated in the dance and he too joined them and danced to DJ music. He said the dance hall was ill illuminated with Disco lights.

By midnight when crackers and fireworks were being lit he heard someone shouting ‘”Fighting fighting” then he saw some people striking others with chairs. He said however he did not got involved in the fight nor assaulted the victim or his girl friend.

He said he never damaged the furniture of the hotel and carried weapons or shot anyone. He said he did not have any reason to assault Khuram Sheik or his girl friend as the prosecution alleged.

He said he too ran away with the other guests who also ran away. However the following morning he came to know that he was wanted by the Tangalle Police for the incident in the hotel so he went to Tangalle Police with his father and a lawyer.

He said that he was asked to wait and his father and the lawyer were asked to go stating that the police wanted to record his statement.

On the same day around 8.00 pm he was handed over to CID Officer Jagath Rohana who blindfolded him, tied his hands and took him to an unknown place where he was assaulted. Later he was once again brought to the Tangalle Police.

The following morning he saw Tangalle Resort Manager Tharanga Pieris standing near the lockup with some others Then the Police officers pointing him to Mrs Pieris told her that “He is the culprit, He is the culprit”. Thereafter Tharanga Peiris and the others went away. Later the police remanded him
The second accused Saman Deshapriya, in his dock statement said he was born in Homagama, married and having two daughters. He said he attended the Christmas party in the hotel for the first time.

The accused said when he went to have meals to the buffet hall he heard people shouting “fighting, fighting” Then he saw people fighting near the swimming pool. He said he too went there and saw someone lying on the ground, As he bent down to see who he was somebody hit him on his hand with a club shouting “You devil what are you looking for ”. He said ran away in fear. He had come to know about the murder the following day and went to the Tangalle Police to make a statement.

W. Prageeth Chaturanga, the fourth accused making his dock statement said he did not get involved in any kind of fighting or rape of the girl. However there was a fight among some guests who came to the party and there were broken glasses and bottles spread around the floor of the hotel, he said.

He said he had also suffered cut injuries due to broken pieces of glass. He said he never shot or assaulted the foreigner nor threatened to shoot as alleged by the hotel’s manager Tharanga Pieris in her evidence. He said he was shown to Tharanga Pieris.

The fifth accused M. Sarath alias Sahan said he was a graduate and had worked as a tutor and Dhampasal teacher. He said he was a Human Recourses Manager. He said he never encouraged his pupils or any others to commit crime or to engage in .mischief. He said as the witnesses asserted he attempted to stop the fight and none of the witnesses gave evidence against him.

Fifth accused S. Prageeth Chaturanga, said he was not involved in any kind of crime.

The trial was postponed for today for the Prosecution Counsel Thusith Mudalige to make his address. (T. Farook Thajudeen)

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Comments - 29

Silhamu Tuesday, 08 July 2014 08:24 AM

Aiyo pow mey ahinsaka lamai. They were at a dhaney gedhara on this day and at this time. Aney apey Gamey lokkagen ahala balanda. They are as innocent as a day old infant. via DM iPad app

Amila G Wednesday, 09 July 2014 04:22 AM

He was committing the crime in his dreams. Lol

Gajaba Wednesday, 09 July 2014 09:46 AM

Tell this to the birds.

patrick Wednesday, 09 July 2014 09:43 AM

amazing incident.Nature know the truthpunishment in due course. via DM Android App

Roshan Wednesday, 09 July 2014 03:17 AM

Then how come the DNA test matched the Culprit?

arunrup Tuesday, 08 July 2014 04:23 PM

Is it a multiple story in a single movie

Steave Tuesday, 08 July 2014 01:40 PM

Wonder of Asia . via DM iPad app

Banda Tuesday, 08 July 2014 06:17 AM

Bullshit, make two gallows instead of one and hang them twice.

Adil Tuesday, 08 July 2014 06:04 AM

Meya Baba.

Dinosha Tuesday, 08 July 2014 06:01 AM

This is why international community don't trust Sri Lankan juridical system.

Reader Tuesday, 08 July 2014 11:28 AM

these jackals shuold be hanged... via DM Android App

An Angle Tuesday, 08 July 2014 05:49 AM

Ya. It is a possible scenario in SL under present politcs

no problem Tuesday, 08 July 2014 11:02 AM

party leaders should expel these criminals who bring disrepute the party themselves and the country as a whole via DM Android App

Jhon Tuesday, 08 July 2014 05:31 AM

Hon Judge, Please donot listen to any politicians or their henchmen. Give them maximum punishment to save good name of our Judiciary System.

Azee Tuesday, 08 July 2014 08:43 AM

It is likelythat before long these criminals will be set free. via DM Android App

what Monday, 07 July 2014 11:09 PM

so these all are thoththa babalas come on criminals wait for the greated judgement of our history via DM Android App

Phantom Tuesday, 08 July 2014 01:43 AM

[quote name="Jeeze"]So so so nobody was involved. They were all innocent humble respectable folks who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. If the courts buy their story the reputation of the island (whatever is left of it) would be tarnished around the world. via DM Android App[/quote]
You mean 'if the courts are forced to buy their story'???

Shaul Monday, 07 July 2014 06:46 PM

Ane totta baba

Jeeze Tuesday, 08 July 2014 12:00 AM

So so so nobody was involved. They were all innocent humble respectable folks who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. If the courts buy their story the reputation of the island (whatever is left of it) would be tarnished around the world. via DM Android App

Suresh Fernando Monday, 07 July 2014 06:26 PM

It happened like this. The British guy killed himself, the girl raped herself and all these jokers were hurt while these two were busy doing these things to themselves. How's that?

Shirani Kolambage Monday, 07 July 2014 11:52 PM

Ethakota mahasona thamai suddawa marala thiyenne Anee anee ratakata giya kala ..

fanam Monday, 07 July 2014 11:42 PM

Ayya they have caught some babies in this case. via DM iPad app

shace-uk Monday, 07 July 2014 06:05 PM

May be kurram raped his girl friend and killed himself!!!

Yakada Yaka Monday, 07 July 2014 05:59 PM

Looks like it was a ghost that was the murderer. Our politicians will never do such thinks. They are patriots. Ha Ha Ha!

Dee Monday, 07 July 2014 05:53 PM

Serves people right for patronizing hotels in this area.

hafeez Monday, 07 July 2014 11:17 PM

whoho .. now they r opening thr mouth... dna all fake is it... go fly a kite... now that u r stuck from every angle trying to make stories. .. but law of this country u never know ... via DM Android App

Satathsk Monday, 07 July 2014 11:16 PM

It seems Khuram Sheik has killed himself. via DM Android App

old citizen Monday, 07 July 2014 05:45 PM

Your honour ,He is paragon of virtue.Please release him.

Peter Monday, 07 July 2014 11:11 PM

Everybody pleads innocent. So the tourist killed himself . miracle of Asia. via DM Android App

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Khuram Murder case: PS Chief pleads innocence

Comments - 29

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