Suspect remanded over false information on Ishara Sewwandi

• The CCD told the court the suspect was arrested for falsely informing the police that Ishara Sewwandi was hiding in a specific location in Dikwella

By Bhagya Silva

A suspect who was arrested for allegedly misleading the police and providing false information regarding the whereabouts of Ishara Sewwandi, who is evading arrest in connection with the Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder case, was remanded till March 24 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela yesterday. Suspect Lahiru Sampath Samaranda from Belideniya, Dikwella, was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).   
The CCD told the court the suspect was arrested for falsely informing the police that Ishara Sewwandi was hiding in a specific location in Dikwella. However, investigations revealed this information to be untrue.   
In connection with the main magisterial inquiry, nine suspects are currently in remand custody. The first suspect, Sameedu Dilshan Piyumanga, the shooter, and the second suspect, Mahesh Sampath Piyadarshana, the driver who aided his escape, are currently detained at the Fort Police Station for further questioning under The Prevention of Terrorism Act.   
The suspects, Lahiru Prasanna Athugala, Janaka Udaya Kumara, Hasitha Roshan, Damidu Lakshan, Damith Anjana Nayanajith, Chamod Gimhana, Chamidu Weerasinghe, Dewage Samanthi, Udara Nirmal, and Nalin Dushyantha remain in remand custody.   
The CCD also informed the court that statements from 47 witnesses have been recorded regarding the incident in which Ganemulla Sanjeewa was shot dead at the Chief Magistrate’s Court.