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Video: PS Chairman remanded until the Khuram case is over

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22 January 2014 07:05 am - 14     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The arrested Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandra Pushpa Vidanapathirana had been remanded by the Colombo High Court a short while ago until the trail into the killing of a British national is over, legal sources said.

The Colombo High Court issued an arrest warrant on the PS Chairman on January 9, for not appearing in Court during the trial, for the alleged murder of the British tourist and harassment of the victim’s Russian girlfriend at a Tangalle holiday resort on December 2011.  

While ordering the accused to be remanded until the trial was over, High Court Judge Rohini Walgama observed that she was not satisfied with the medical reports submitted to Court by the accused, as they were not believable or reliable. Accordingly, the case was fixed for trial to be heard before the Colombo High Court on March 26, 27 and 28.

When the case came up before High Court Judge Rohini Walgama, Defence Counsel Hemantha Gamage appearing for the third accused Vidanapathirana, submitted a medical report justifying the accused’s absence on the previous hearing date. The Defence Counsel submitted to Court that the accused was admitted to a private hospital in Galle on January 8 after falling ill. He said his client was suffering from a cough and a respiratory problem.

Submitting the relevant medical reports in Court, he said the medical doctor who examined the accused had recommended him to relax for seven days from January 7 to January 14. The Counsel further admitted to Court that his client was discharged from the hospital on January 9 at 7.15pm and moved to Court that the arrest warrant issued against him be recalled.  

However, Senior State Counsel (SSC) Thusitha Mudalige appearing for the Attorney General questioned the reliability of the medical reports comparing them with a telephone conversation report obtained pertaining to the accused’s mobile phone. The SSC maintained that according to the telephone conversation report, the accused had travelled to several places including Tangalle, Colombo, Beliatta, Wellawatte and Galle between January 7 - January 9, while he claimed he got admitted to a hospital. He questioned as to how such a patient travelled long distances within a short period while his medical doctor had asked him to relax for a few days.

Meanwhile, the High Court Judge also observed that she was not satisfied with the facts presented by the defence counsel and further observed that a counsel should act in a responsible manner citing reliable sources, without undermining the Judiciary.

The case which was called before a Tangalle Court against the accused O.A. Lahiru Kelum, U. Saman Deshapriya, Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Vidanapathirana, W. Prageeth Chaturanga, M. Sarath alias Sahan, S. Prageeth Chaturanga, was transferred to Colombo by the Attorney General purportedly on the complaint of intimidating the witnesses by the accused. (LS)



Video by Sanath Desmond

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  Comments - 14

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  • achari Wednesday, 22 January 2014 07:31 AM

    Thanks the Judge. And await for a balanced Judicial service.

    Ranjith Silvar Wednesday, 22 January 2014 07:49 AM

    Oh my beloved friend!. Keep calm for a while until next March end dear.end

    Ravi Wednesday, 22 January 2014 07:52 AM

    The whole country wants justice for this case!!!

    Nuwan Perera Wednesday, 22 January 2014 08:12 AM

    Kuram sheik is not innocent person. And this guy didnt kill him.

    lIRF Wednesday, 22 January 2014 08:19 AM

    The culprit is caught at last. Justice should be equal to everyone.
    He thinks he is above law.

    suneth Wednesday, 22 January 2014 08:25 AM

    pre set drama. Luxary in remand (if he realy stays in). Trying to hoodwink IC until HR issues over.

    Shehan Wednesday, 22 January 2014 09:03 AM

    Ohh yeah..its another gimmick until the Geneva session is over. After that he will be a free bird...

    OMG Wednesday, 22 January 2014 09:04 AM

    Why is he still called the Chairman of the PS?

    Maha R Wednesday, 22 January 2014 09:57 AM

    Brovo...

    Concerned citizen Wednesday, 22 January 2014 10:03 AM

    In a bungalow with VIP facilities?

    Anu Wednesday, 22 January 2014 11:27 AM

    Remanded till Geneva sessions are over in March

    fazal Wednesday, 22 January 2014 12:28 PM

    MUST PUNISH THIS MAN TO SEE OTHERS IN SRILANKA THERE IS LAW....

    warna Wednesday, 22 January 2014 12:30 PM

    You say that Kuram Sheikh killed himself?

    George Cloney Thursday, 23 January 2014 04:11 AM

    All these lies will not stop the UN from moving ahead with the resoloution


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