Tangalle PS chairman pleads not guilty, released on bail

22 November 2013 01:53 pm - 37 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Vidanapathiranage and five others today pleaded not guilty before the Colombo High Court to the killing of British tourist Khuram Sheikh Zaman and sexually assaulting his partner Victoria Alexandrovna at a Tangalle holiday resort, and were released on the previous bail granted by the Tangalle Magistrate Court.

The Court Mudaliyar read over seventeen charges indicting the suspects. Judge Ms Wickramasinghe fixed the trial for December 2.

The suspects were sternly warned to abide by the bail conditions and not to interfere with the 16 witnesses. The case that was heard in Tangalle was transferred to Colombo on the instructions of the Attorney General.

In an earlier identification parade held in the Tangalle Magistrate’s Court, the witnesses lined up identified the suspects including the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman (UPFA) Sampath Vidanapathirana as involved in the killing of 32-year-old Khuram Shaikh Zaman.

However, Victoria Alexandrovna who was sexually assaulted and injured during the incident failed to identify any of the suspects.

The others suspects who were identified at the parade were the PS Chairman’s private secretary Mohottige Saman, Nalagama Praveen Chaturanga, Saman Deshapriya and Obada Arachchige Lahiru Kelum, the driver Weerakoon Piyadasa Ratnayake and a field officer of the National Housing Development Authority.

Khuram, a Red Cross physical rehabilitation manager working in the war-torn Gaza Strip, was brutally murdered while mediating a quarrel between locals, some of whom were heavily intoxicated. He died as a result of a deep stab wound. Khuram’s body was flown to Britain for a family funeral.

State Counsel Thusith Mudalige prosecuted and President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa defended the suspects. (T. Farook Thajudeen)

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Comments - 37

jacoob Saturday, 23 November 2013 09:01 AM

end less saga of joke and making mockery of whole country and people continues unabated ..especially since may 2009.. It was not VP you killed but your nationhood.. but you are not capable to realize this !! over to triple gem!!!

Bathiya Saturday, 23 November 2013 04:49 AM

Get ready for the electric chair

CP Saturday, 23 November 2013 04:57 AM

Even when 16 witnesses identified suspects, SL court grants bail? I am clueless is it a norm for other suspects.

shantha Abey Saturday, 23 November 2013 05:01 AM

Sri Lanka legal system wasn't designed to protect the innocent . These criminals were freed so that they can go and threaten the witnesses with murder if they go against them in the court. Obviously criminals go free. We seem them in the parliament as well. When the hell justice and fairness prevail.

John Saturday, 23 November 2013 05:08 AM

I hope more than 'a few'.....if at least to appease the bereaved.

Yuri Saturday, 23 November 2013 05:21 AM

God bless your Kingdom (correction )

sobers Saturday, 23 November 2013 06:09 AM

Disgusting,Disgraceful, Dam Nonsense... which is going to bring very bad image for us.

npj Saturday, 23 November 2013 06:27 AM

Quite true.

Paisa Must Appah Saturday, 23 November 2013 06:47 AM

The legal system has broken down and our lawyers are corrupt men to exonerate an alleged murderer.

kumar Saturday, 23 November 2013 07:00 AM

Funny law and order.

Jayanthi Saturday, 23 November 2013 04:24 AM

I hope a few people end up in the Hague!

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 23 November 2013 09:15 AM

cho gum uth iwarai, naduth iwaraaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.

james bond Saturday, 23 November 2013 10:22 AM

great shame for sri lankans.these are national traitors.

Maha R Saturday, 23 November 2013 10:24 AM

Let the time match the crime, no monkey business please.

Mithila Sunday, 24 November 2013 04:24 AM

Send a postcard to CJ and justice will be done

Nims Sunday, 24 November 2013 04:46 AM

MR's henchmen. That is the truth

Nims Sunday, 24 November 2013 04:49 AM

Then who will represent the parliament?. Please think of this situation mate

Nims Monday, 25 November 2013 03:47 AM

Someday this case will decide the fate of MR and his gang

ANTON Saturday, 23 November 2013 01:22 AM

BAD MEN MADE LAW AND LAW MAKES BAD MEN

Alimankada Pamankada Friday, 22 November 2013 05:40 PM

Hey Cameron. Where are you???

Serendib Friday, 22 November 2013 05:44 PM

Tit For Tat, expect something worse from Cameron.

Simple mind Friday, 22 November 2013 06:31 PM

Now that the CHOGM is over crooks and murderers can get get back yo their old habits.

Saman Friday, 22 November 2013 08:01 PM

MR playing pandu with UK and David C. Wait till March 2014 and to face Hague.

Nims Friday, 22 November 2013 08:40 PM

Ok!! It is time to review the entire legal system if these murders escape the punishment. Why did the Courts wait to release them until the CHOGM is over? Judges are to face the courts someday

mavan Saturday, 23 November 2013 12:05 AM

CHOGAM is over now. Suspects were released.

Road runner Saturday, 23 November 2013 01:17 AM

He will get Desa Bandu award very zoon.

Cobra Saturday, 23 November 2013 01:20 AM

CHOGM is gone and the beginning of a rapist/murderer's exoneration papers are being prepared-good morning Miracle of Asia!!!

kumara Friday, 22 November 2013 02:33 PM

if any body guilty should be punished

Sanaboy Saturday, 23 November 2013 02:05 AM

Aiyo... Then who killed?

sumith Saturday, 23 November 2013 02:23 AM

Let all of them go free. Verdict already given by their conscience and the people. Releasing them will make them and their favoring politicians happy, but how long?

Thomas Saturday, 23 November 2013 03:13 AM

This brute should be sent to gallows straight away for causing shame on all Sri Lankans by his rape & murder of foreigners

Neutral thinker Saturday, 23 November 2013 03:26 AM

Thousands of killers and rapists are freely enjoying their life without any punishment.and many of them boldly repeating the same crime again. The only way of reducing crimes in sri lanka is giving them severe punishment like in Islamic countries.

Blessing Saturday, 23 November 2013 03:45 AM

Bailed out for being pro Government politicians? We have really lost faith in our judicial system.

Roshan Saturday, 23 November 2013 04:07 AM

He died himself

ifaz Saturday, 23 November 2013 04:17 AM

my wholehearted acceptance.

an s !!!kith udugama Saturday, 23 November 2013 04:19 AM

God bless our country ???????

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Tangalle PS chairman pleads not guilty, released on bail

Comments - 37

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