When the non summary inquiry into the alleged murder of Biyagama Village Hotel owner and wealthy businessman Bernard Jayaratne, 65, was taken up on December 5, Pugoda Magistrate and Additional District Judge Nilupuli Lankapura acquitted W. H. Ariyapala and postponed her verdict in the case for December 12.
Magistrate and Additional District Judge Lankapura also said the 14th witness Sub Inspector Nimal Ranjith who is on bail, 15th witness STF constable Keerthi Sanjeewa, 16th witness STF constable Vipula Prasad and 55th witness CID Sergeant Siriwardene need not be present in Court again.
Suranga Jayaratne of Biyagama and W. M. Ariyapala of Dambulla had been named as the suspects in this case. When the case was called, the CID presented the victim’s postmortem examination report in Court.
State Counsel Janaka Bandara in his submissions said according to the postmortem report, the victim had multiple injuries in the body inflicted with a sharp weapon. According to the evidence of five witnesses led in Court and affidavits submitted by four police officers and the postmortem report, the prosecution wished to close the case.
Since there were no murder charges against suspect W. M. Ariyapala, he could be acquitted.
Thereafter, the Magistrate and Acting District Judge acquitted Ariyapala and released him and said she would deliver her judgement on December 12 after studying the case report.
Add new comment