SUSPECTS REMANDED TILL JULY 16 PENDING IDENTIFICATION

Attempted robbery of jewellery shop in Matara

The three underworld gangsters who had been taken into custody in connection with the killing of a police sergeant Suranga Weerasinghe and causing serious injuries to four others during a confrontation with the police when the suspects attempted to rob a leading jewellery shop in Matara were remanded yesterday by Matara Magistrate Nilmini K.vitharana till July 16 pending an identification parade.

Another suspect involved in the incident had been killed in a police shooting when he attempted to hurl a hand grenade at the police.

The suspects remanded were Dharmakirthi Tharaka Perera Wijesekara alias “Kosgoda Tharaka”, of Nanathota in Nelligaskele in Kosgoda, his brother Dharmakirthi Maduka Nirmal Perera Wijesekara alias “Kosgoda Maduka”, and Neendeniyagedara Atula Kithsiri Kumara alias “Narammala Mala” of Dutuwewa in Anuradhapura.

The only suspect produced before the magistrate yesterday was Heendeniya Gedara Atula Kitsiri Kumara alias “Narammala Mala”. He was brought to court under strict security. Prison officers reported to court that the main suspect “Kosgoda Tharaka” and the other suspect ““Kosgoda Maduka” had taken ill and that they would not be produced in court.

Attorneys Nalindra Indratissa, Chinthaka Amarasinghe Charith Uduwarage and Ranga De Silva, appearing for the main suspect “Kosgoda Tharaka” told court that their client was under death threat and that his life would be in danger when transporting from Angunukolapelessa prison to Matara Magistrate’s court.