An appeal filed by the Attorney General seeking a re-trial into the murder of former TNA MP Nadaraja Raviraj, was fixed for April 4 by the Court of Appeal yesterday.
A Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Deepali Wijesundara and Justice Achala Wengappuli decided to differ the application consequent to a request made by Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi, an accused respondent that he be given two months to retain a counsel.
On December 23, 2016, three Navy intelligence officers and two others, accused in the Raviraj murder, were acquitted and released from the case after they were found not guilty by jury trial. In its appeal, the Attorney General observed that it was inappropriate and imprudent of expecting the jury to consider the facts and laws in the trial that was heard on December 23, 2016 until after midnight. The Attorney General maintained the trial process was not appropriate and reasonable to make a just and fare verdict.
The Attorney General further observed that there were several deficiencies in the summing up of the trial judge.
The Attorney General contended that several important legal concepts which are relevant to the case were not considered by the trial judge.
Appeals filed by the wife of the slain MP and accused respondents were also postponed for April 4.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya appeared for the Attorney General.
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