Trial resumes in attempted murder on EPDP leader Douglas Devananda

The trial resumed on the attempted murder of EPDP Leader Douglas Devananda at the Kalutara Prison before the Colombo High Court yesterday.

At the outset the first witness, former parliamentarian Devananda giving evidence before High Court Judge Piyasena Ranasinghe led by State Counsel Pavithrani de Silva stated that on the day the incident took place he was surrounded by the prisoners of the Kalutara Prison and assaulted. He said that he could not identify the attackers since 19 years had lapsed after the incident.

When he visited the Kalutara Prison on June 30, 1998, he was brutally assaulted by the LTTE detainees who were on a hunger strike to air their grievances. The Judge postponed further hearing for June 21, 22 and 23 and issued summons on the 2nd 3rd 8th and 9th witnesses to appear before court on the next hearing date to give evidence. Counsel M. K. P. Chandralal watched the interest of Douglas Devananda while Counsel Sanjaya S. Ariyadasa appeared for the accused Sri Skandarajah. The AG has indicted 16 LTTE detainees of the Kalutara Prison for the attempted murder of Douglas Devananda in the Colombo High Court. However, only one accused appeared before the court to face trial.

However, the then Minister of Hindu Affairs and Tamil Language, had earlier submitted a letter to the Kalutara Magistrate’s Court stating that he was unable to appear in Court to give evidence due to an alleged threat to his life.