Magistrate visits shooting site

Kapila Somaratne Panadura group corr.

Panadura Provincial High Court Judge Malanee Gunaratne, District Judge Devika Abeyratne and the Panadura Magistrate Jagath A. Kahadagamage inspected the spot where the prison officials shot dead two remand prisoners who fled from the Magistrates Court at around 2.15 p.m. on Monday.

The dead are Anura Pradeep Silva alias Thola and Saman Nuwan Pushperlal of Pinwatta two accused on robbery cases pending before the court. Two injured prisoners Indika Roshan and Rasika Manjula were hospitalised while two others Nishantha Kumara Alwis and Saman Pushpalal escaped with injuries.

The incident occurred at 2.15 p.m. on Monday when the prison officials opened the door of the court cell to produce an accused before the Magistrate who was hearing a case inside the court chambers.

As the door was opened six remand prisoners pushed the prison official who opened the door and fled, the prison officer fired at the suspects another suspect jumped off to the ground floor.

The prison officials who were on duty at the ground floor fired at the fleeing suspects.

Hearing the burst of gunfire, the Panadura Provincial High Court Judge Malanee Gunaratne also adjourned the court. The magistrate held on spot inquiry and recorded the observations.