Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2024-04-29 02:09:00
5 January 2024 12:32 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Upali Ananda
Anuradhapura, Jan 5 (Daily Mirror) - A suspect who had been detained in Anuradhapura prison under Prevention of Terrorism Act, Pubalasingham Suriyapalan told open court yesterday that State Minister of Plantation Industries and Prison Reforms Lohan Ratwatta who entered the prison made him to kneel down and threatened him with death at pistol point forcing him to tell the truth, on September 12, 2019.
He was giving evidence in the case against the state minister on the charge of entering Anuradhapura Prison at night under the influence of liquor and threatening with death a Tamil terrorist suspect on remand was taken up for hearing before Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate and Addl. District Judge Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya yesterday. The suspect Lohan Ratwatta appeared in court when the case was taken up.
State Counsel Samadari Piyasena informed court that the witness Suriyapalan was not conversant with Sinhala and requested to provide the services of an interpreter.
The magistrate who upheld the request ordered Court Interpreter Irfahan Mohamed to interpret the witness’s evidence in Tamil to Sinhala and vice versa.
The witness told court that he was taken into custody by Puliyankulam police on January 08, 2019 on the charge of attempting the reorganize the LTTE and detained in Anuradhapura with eleven other terrorist suspects.
“ On September 12, 2019 a jail guard informed us that the Minister of Prisons wanted to meet us and take our signatures for release. We were taken out and ordered to line up. Prison Superintendent, the Head Jailer and several police officers were present. An individual, dressed in a long sleeved T-shirt and wearing a hat among them questioned us in connection with what incidents we had been detained. I told him that I was not conversant with Sinhala. Then he took out a pistol, aimed it at my forehead and said that I was lying and threatened me to tell the truth. He ordered me to kneel down twice and aimed his pistol at my head. I was so frightened that I started to cry. When he loaded the pistol, Prison Superintendent caught the suspect’s hand. I can identify him as the person in the dock today. (Witness identifies suspect Lohan Ratwatta). Subsequently the officials of the Human Rights Commission visited the prison and recorded our statements. Later we were transferred to Magazine Prisons in Colombo” The witness further stated.
The prison officials on duty at Anuradhapura Prisons on the day of the incidents and several detainees are to be called as state witnesses.
OIC Colombo Crime Division CI Anslem Silva, and SI A.H.L Sumanasiri appeared for the state on the instructions of Director Crime Division ASP Neville De Silva with State Counsel.
Spartacus Friday, 05 January 2024 07:20 AM
Even after identifying the perpetrator in the dock and even after the totally illegal criminal nature of the incident, how come this magistrate did not remand the Minister? This is absolute joke of the justice system. The magistrate surely is a Sinhalese therefore he is biased and protecting the Minister.
Bandu Friday, 05 January 2024 08:07 AM
Not the first time he has used firearms against the public where he was accused in the Mawanella incident against muslim voters. And buffoons vote for him and get nothing in return.
Leo Friday, 05 January 2024 08:18 AM
Now our beloved lawyers of sweetheart Lohan Ratwatte will fabricate a totally different story that the prison visit was just a visit of love, and nothing else.
Be Fair Friday, 05 January 2024 08:25 AM
Understand Natural Justice is being served on the Minister in form of severe ailment in his Liver
Cherath Friday, 05 January 2024 08:28 AM
Whatever abhorrent crimes LTTE have committed, Lohan Ratwatte, hiding behind his portfolio and Sinhala name should be castrated and hung for violating the fundamental rights of a prisoner and insulting the Sinhala and Kandyan community, by his despicable behaviour. More importantly, this case should be heard and a sentence passed within a month. (What the hell were they doing for over 4 yrs? - Justice delayed = Justice denied)
VJ Friday, 05 January 2024 08:34 AM
The outcome of this case will test the independence of the judiciary and the fundamental rights guaranteed in the constitution. There have been more incidents involving the ex minister of prison reforms.
Buddhist Friday, 05 January 2024 08:34 AM
Will the Prison Superintendent have the guts to tell the truth that he held the hand of Lohan to stop him from shooting or will he tell a lie to save his own life?
Algie Friday, 05 January 2024 08:38 AM
This scum drunkard who is a disgrace to the clan should be behind bars. He has played with his pistol a number of times in a drunken state. He killed Pera a foreign ruggerite and got away with it as the father also a horrendous rascal used the family power where the law did not apply. “ System Change “ is a must for this country to start a fresh with a fundamental THE RULE OF LAW AND THE APPLICATION SAME TO ALL .CITIZENS.
Gabriella Friday, 05 January 2024 08:53 AM
Another waste of tax payers money. Have people forgotten the previous murders of Lohan Ratwatte ? The Muslim boys placing campaign posters. Was he convicted for them. As I recall, he served his remand in hospital until the witness was bribed, and given a ticket out of the country. And lets not forget the killing of the Papua New Guinean (nationality) coach outside the casino with about 40 witnesses. Obviously, everything in this case will be orchestrated. It already “stinks” !!!
Jeewanathan Palankottam Friday, 05 January 2024 09:23 AM
These are NGO allegations! Lohan is an innocent Myna man - do nothing wrong - Myna did not take any action! But still taking Pin Padi and Pin vehicles and Pin Gon Pong! We need such people to maintain YUKTHIYA!!
Don't know Friday, 05 January 2024 09:49 AM
Why do cases like this take so.long ?? It's been 5 years since this incident happened!
Neil Friday, 05 January 2024 11:42 AM
Let us wait for the judgement to see if the District Judge has a back bone.
Due to Gullible Friday, 05 January 2024 01:20 PM
That’s why you need professionals with discipline, principle's
Anthony. R Friday, 05 January 2024 01:39 PM
No surprise, this is possible with Lohan Ratwatte,a scum drunkard and murderer. Of a ruggerite (Papua New Guinean) this mental wreck is backed by powerful family and politicalhigher-ups. Past criminal records galore. Testing time for the Judiciary on it's independence, and the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution. One Country, One Law?!!!! Oh ! Judiciary over to you
DJ Friday, 05 January 2024 07:12 PM
Thuggery at its best, and he is still free.
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
US authorities are currently reviewing the manifest of every cargo aboard MV
On March 26, a couple arriving from Thailand was arrested with 88 live animal
According to villagers from Naula-Moragolla out of 105 families 80 can afford
Is the situation in Sri Lanka so grim that locals harbour hope that they coul
26 Apr 2024
26 Apr 2024
