Court of Appeal orders fresh trial in Raviraj murder case

Colombo, March 27 (Daily Mirror) - The Court of Appeal has ordered the High Court to commence a fresh trial into the murder of former TNA Parliamentarian Nadaraja Raviraj.

On December 23, 2016, three Navy intelligence officers and two others accused in the Raviraj murder case were acquitted and released by the Colombo High Court after being found not guilty by a jury.

The Court of Appeal judgment was delivered by Justice Sasi Mahendran and Justice Amal Ranaraja, following an appeal filed by the Attorney General seeking a retrial in the murder of former TNA MP Nadaraja Raviraj. 

The Court of Appeal observed that the High Court verdict had been delivered at 12:50 a.m. on December 23, 2016, which it described as highly unusual. The Court further held that the learned High Court Judge had failed to properly direct the jury regarding the evidence of Prosecution Witness No. 1, who was an accomplice.

“Upon analysing the evidence of Prosecution Witness No. 1, who is an accomplice, it is evident that there is sufficient material to establish the case against the accused,” Justice Sasi Mahendran observed.

Raviraj was shot dead near his residence at Manning Town in Narahenpita during the period between November 9, 2006 and November 10, 2006 when he was driving his vehicle along Martha Road.

Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath appeared for the Attorney General.