The Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday ordered to acquit third accused Prison Officer Indika Sampath in the case filed against the three accused over the killing of eight inmates during the Welikada Prison Riots that took place on November 9, 2012.
The Trial-at-Bar made this order following a request made by the Prosecution.
When the case was taken up before the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar bench comprising three High Court judges Gihan Kulathunga (President), Pradeep Hettiarachchi and Manjula Thilakarathna, the prosecution witnesses, Criminal Record Division Officer in Charge (OIC) Dilrukshi Indika and Dulari Jayaweera who is currently in Prison custody testified before the Court.
Following that, prosecution concluded the testimony of the prosecution witnesses and the prosecution sought from the court to release the third accused from the case, since all the evidence recorded by the prosecution did not disclose the charges of attempted murder, aiding and abetting against third accused Indika Sampath.
After considering the facts, the Trial-at-Bar maintained that there is no sufficient evidence to prove the charges against third accused Indika Sampath and ordered to acquit him from the case.
Accused Indika Sampath had absconded the court since the inception of the trial and President’s Counsel Nalinda Indatissa appeared before the court for the accused.
The case will be taken up again on July 31 for further trial.
The Attorney General had filed indictment comprising 33 charges against the Moses Rangajeewa attached to the Police Narcotics Bureau and Magazine Prison Superintendent Lamahewage Emil Ranjan and Prison officer Indika Sampath over the killing of eight inmates during the Welikada Prison Riots that took place on November 9, 2012.
The eight prison inmates who were killed in the incident are Kankanamalage Malinda Nilendra Pelpola alias Malan, Attapattu Sangakkara Nirmala Atapattu, Mohammed Wijaya Rohana alias Gundu, Chinthamani Mohottige Thushara Chandana alias Kalu Thushara, Asarappulige Jothipala, Harshan Sri Manakeerthi Perera alias Manju Sri, Raigamage Susantha Perera alias Mala Susantha and Devamullage Malith Sameera Perera alias Konda Amila.
Deputy Solicitor General Dilan Ratnayake with Senior State Counsel Madhawa Tennakoon appeared for the Attorney General. President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne with Nalinda Indatissa appeared for the defence.
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