Bail application to be taken up at next hearing

Lasantha Wickrematunga’s Case

Raising his objections to the bail application on third suspect, former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara in the former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga murder inquiry, Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara on Tuesday informed Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court that the CID is suspicious about the involvement of the third suspect in the killing and it was conducting investigations into the matter.

Highlighting his objections the Senior State Counsel who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General also informed Court the CID had arrested both the second and third suspects over allegations of concealing evidence with regard to the investigations of the murdered former Editor.

He also informed Court the statements which were recorded by the second suspect former Mount Lavinia Crimes OIC Thissa Sugathapala has revealed that former DIG Nanayakkara made plans to destroy and conceal evidence of the case.

“Even though former Mount Lavinia Crimes OIC wanted to continue the investigations he failed to do so and he was even compelled to handover Lasantha Wickrematunga’s field book which is considered to be the most crucial evidence of the case to former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara under former Senior DIG Hemantha Adhikari’s enormous pressure,” Senior State Counsel Bandara said.

However, the order regarding the bail application submitted for former DIG Nanayakkara will be delivered on the next hearing date and both suspects were ordered to be further remanded until May 14 by Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.

During the previous hearing, Anura Meddegoda PC appearing for the third suspect requested bail for his client. Making his submission he informed Court that the charges which had been filed by the CID against his client were bailable offences and his client is suffering from a Cardiac disease.