Defence Counsel calls for acquittal of accused sans defence

Defence Counsel for UPFA Ratnapura District MP Premalal Jayasekera, alias 'Choka Malli', and 6 others indicted for the murder of one person and causing grievous injury to two others, have called to acquit the accused without stating their defence.

The Prosecution closed its case earlier. The Defence Counsel said they would make submission on this, as the Prosecution had failed to prove the charges.

The incident had taken place at a presidential election rally in Kahawatta, which the joint opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena was to attend, for the Presidential elections on January 5, 2015. In the incident, Dodangodage Susil Perera was murdered, while two others were injured.

The other accused in the case are Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councillor Nilantha Jayasinghe, former Chairman of the Kahawatte Pradeshiya Sabha, Vajira Darshana de Silva, Pathum Danajaya, alias 'Pela', Asanka Namal alias 'Sargent 11', A. Thilanka Pradeep, former Vice Chairman of the Nivitigala Pradeshiya Sabha, and A. M. Guneratne, alias 'Amila'.

The case was taken up before Ratnapura High Court Judge Rohana Jayawardena who ordered the Defense to make its submissions when the case is taken up tomorrow.

Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara appeared for the Prosecution.