Court orders autopsy report on Thirappane bodies

The Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Harshana Kekunawela ordered the JMO of the Anuradhapura General Hospital to conduct an autopsy on the three bodies found inside a car in Selesthimaduwa in the Thirappane Police Division, and submit his findings to the court.

The Magistrate also ordered that on completion of the autopsy the bodies to be handed over to the relatives of the deceased.

The victims, who were found dead with gunshot injuries inside the van had been identified as 45-year-old Sarath Bandara alias S.F. Banda, a former soldier the Air Force’s special force, 45-yearold U. Saman Kumara and 30-year-old M.G. Pradeep Kumara of Gintota, Galle. Police sources said that Sarath Bandara alias S.F. Banda, one of the deceased, was presently an accused in two cases of murder, presently heard at the Anuradhapura High Court and an accused in nine other cases heard at the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.

They said in addition he was an accused in ten other cases in the Thambuththegama and Nochchiyagama courts on charges of demanding ransom at gun point.

Presently he had been enlarged on strict bail conditions.

The Police source said that when prisoners detained over terrorism charges protested in the Anuradhapura prison two

Police sources said that Sarath Bandara alias S.F. Banda, one of the deceased, was presently an accused in two cases of murder, presently heard at the Anuradhapura High Court and an accused in nine other cases heard at the Anuradhapura Magistrate Court

years ago it was Sarath Kumara who led the protest according to preliminary investigations.

“In addition, while on this protest, he had spoken on the Sandesaya programme of the BBC World Service and issued statements on behalf of the detainees,” a Police source said.

Investigations under conducted the direction of SSP of North Central and Wayamba Ravi Wijegoonawardene, DIG of North Central Ranjith Padmasiri and SSP of Anuradhapura Division Athula Weerasinghe.