Trishaw driver acquitted for attempted murder

The Colombo High Court acquitted a trishaw driver who was accused of attempting to kill a victim by stabbing with a knife.

Colombo High Court Judge K.H. Sumithrapala acquitted the accused Krishnan Suriya Kumar from the charge of attempting to cause the death of Don Dilum Roshan Rupasinghe of Ambagaha junction intentionally on or about December 7, 2003 by assaulting and stabbing the victim to cause serious injuries.

The Attorney General indicted the accused Omardeen Abdul Azeed Mohamed Anas, Tuan Kitchil Rajab, Tuan Nadar Madar Sawaal and Krishnaiya Surya Kumar before the High Court. The first three accused pleaded guilty for the charges at the onset of the trial and they were fined and ordered to pay compensation to the victim.

During the trial against the fourth accused Krishnaiya Surya Kumar, it was revealed that the accused was a trishaw driver and the first three suspects had travelled in his trishaw to assault and kill the fourth accused. When the stabbing incident took place, Krishnaiya had waited in his trishaw for the return of the first three accused who had left his vehicle alleging they wanted to go for a call of nature.

It was further revealed that the accused had no involvement in the incident and he was acquitted from the case without calling for the defence witnesses.

State Counsel Indika Nelumdeniya prosecuted. Counsel Pradeep Jayakody defended the fourth accused.