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Bharatha killing: Govt. promises impartial probe

20 Oct 2011 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The government said yesterday it did not rule out the possibility of making parliamentarian Duminda Silva a suspect in the Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra murder trial but added that the investigations were still going on and the government would let the law take its own course.

Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the weekly cabinet news briefing the government would maintain a strictly impartial stance on the October 8 Mulleriyawa shootout which resulted in the killing of presidential adviser Bharatha Lakshman Premachanadra and three others while Mr. Silva suffered serious head injuries and was still at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital ICU.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed Police Chief N.K. Illangakone to conduct an impartial inquiry into the tragedy and bring those responsible for the crime before the law as soon as possible. Some 10 suspects have been arrested and statements recorded from more than 30 people,” the minister said.

He said the CID would record a statement from Mr. Silva when he recovered.

Responding to an allegation by Mr. Premachandra’s family members that the police had failed to make Mr. Silva a suspect in the murder trial, the minister said no one had taken a decision either way.

He said it was up to the CID investigating the shootout to decide on the best course of action.

The minister said it was against Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural values to handcuff a critically injured person who is even unable to talk properly.

“Besides, it is obvious that Mr. Silva cannot run away, leave alone giving a statement. It is highly inhumane for someone to suggest that an unconscious person be handcuffed,” he said.

He denied media reports that the police team investigating the killing has been replaced with a new team, and said a huge misinformation campaign was being carried out to tarnish the image of the government.

“Nothing of that sort has happened. The government could have asked the local police station to investigate. But the CID has been asked to do so because the government wants to get to the bottom of the incident and uncover what really happened. The originally team of sleuths are continuing with the investigations,” the minister said.

The minister said it was the right of the family to cast doubts on what the government was doing but it was determined to carry out an impartial inquiry and bring the suspects before the law. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Bharatha killing: Govt. promises impartial probe

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