PS member questioned by CID
L.m.dharmasiri, a UPFA Pradeshiya Sabha member, was arrested for the double murder of 18 year-old Kavindya Chathurangani and her mother Nayana Nilmini in January in Kahawatte.
The suspect was questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), while blood samples, found in the three-wheeler used to transport the victims and two knives allegedly used by the murderers, have been sent to the Government Analyst’s Department for DNA analysis.
Earlier this year the suspect’s son, a prison guard, was arrested for possessing 4 mg of heroine in his locker at the prison where he worked.
L.m.dharmasiri is one of several people arrested in connection with the brutal killing. L.h.dharshana, alias Raju, his wife and a three–wheeler driver, Sanath Nandana, were taken into custody and remanded until March 19.
On Monday, Pelmadulla Magistrate Chandani Dias sought the Government Analyst Department’s assistance in establishing the identity of the suspects taken into custody by ordering DNA tests on 81 pieces of cloth containing blood stains found near the suspects’ house.
The alleged involvement of local government politicians in criminal activities are on the increase, with a series of cases against them being reported.
A UPFA Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) member of Weligapole in the Ratnapura district, surrendered to police, along with a friend, after he was wanted in connection with the killing of a villager.
The member, K.A. Vasantha had allegedly assaulted a salesman visiting the area, on suspicion of having an affair with the local councillor’s paramour, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of PoliceSabaragamuwa, Ashoka Wijetillake said.
He said the suspect had assaulted the salesman with a belt and bottle, and dumped him in a shrub jungle area in the Bambaragastenna area. The victim had lay bleeding for more than 24 hours, before he was admitted to hospital.
The victim, N.G. Amila Pradeep (21) succumbed to his injuries at the Ratnapura hospital 10 days later, last Friday.
The villagers protested over the incident.
A three-wheeler driver who allegedly aided and abetted in the assault, was arrested in the Veyangoda area, before the chief suspect surrendered.
DIG Wijetillake said that they had detected a galkatas weapon which had been left behind by the local councillor in another house.
Last week, in the Kurunegala district, Deputy Chairman- Narammala PS, Manjula Polgampola allegedly assaulted a father and son last week in the town, causing injuries to them.
The father was accompanying his son after tui- tion classes, when the assault took place after an argument.
However, the Deputy Chairman had also admitted himself to hospital, claiming that he was also injured in the incident.
In December, the Tangalle PS Chairman Sampath Vidanapathirana was arrested for the killing of a British tourist. He is presently in remand custody. During the same month, a local councillor, allegedly involved in a series of criminal activities, was found killed under a bridge in the Kotadeniyawa area.
Police spokesman SP Ajith Rohana told the Sunday Times that, in recent months, local government politicians have been allegedly involved in a series of criminal activities.
“We have not hesitated in taking action against these politicians,” he added.
Mahamodera Hospital’s Premature Baby Unit (PBU) is to undergo a facelift, with the Health Ministry embarking on whatever urgent repairs are needed immediately.
This follows a visit by two top health officials after three babies in the unit died of an infection, while a high- level team from the Medical Research Institute which also rushed there, has advised on measures to further strengthen infection control procedures, the Sunday Times learns.
The Health Ministry’s Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala and Health Services Director- General Dr. Ajith Mendis visited Mahmaodera after confirmation that the three babies died of an infection.
The Klebsiella infection which causes septicaemia, had come with a very ill baby transferred to Mahmaodera from a peripheral hospital, the Sunday Times learns, and then affected the others.
A decision has now been made to separate babies brought from other hospitals from those born at Maha modera itself, a source said, adding that it would help to ascertain whether such babies had an infection and if so, prevent it from spreading among the others.
Mahamodera Hospital being a tertiarycare institution, has very delicate babies including those born prematurely, those who are severely underweight and others with congenital deformities.
Therefore, preventing deaths among some of these vulnerable babies is nearimpossible because of their condition, a source based in Colombo pointed out.
Meanwhile, the PBU of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital at Kalubowila, which was closed for a week for a thorough clean- up, was opened yesterday, Director Dr. Anil Jasinghe told the Sunday Times.
“Our routine surveillance found an infection, and we closed the unit to strengthen the usual infection control procedure,” he said.
In another incident, Health sources alleged that false stories about the PBU of the Castle Street Hospital for Women had caused serious concern among the humble people who used the services of this premier tertiary-care institution.
“We moved the babies to another section of the PBU with all the necessary facilities and closed the Intensive Care Unit for two days to strengthen the facilities there,” said Castle Street Hospital Director Dr. Kumar Wickremasinghe. There was no infection at the unit, he added.