Former Gampaha ASP Lakshman Cooray and ex-LTTE cadre Selvarajah Piribahakaran alias ‘Morris’ who were in remand custody over the murder of former Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle were acquitted and released by Gampaha High Court Judge Sahan Mapa Bandara yesterday. On April 6, 2008, former minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was killed in a suicide bomb attack near Weliveriya Kanti Ground.
The Attorney General had filed 31 charges against the Lakshman Cooray and Selvaraja Thirubakaran on killing of former minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and 15 others using a suicide bomber, attempted murder of 84 others, and conspiracy to murder. Former Gampaha High Court Judge Piyaseeli Wickramasinghe had served indictments on Lakshman Cooray and Selvaraja Thirubakaran. However, the suspects had denied the charges filed against them on July 18,2014.
Delivering the judgment, the High Court Judge observed that the prosecution has been failed to prove charges against the suspects beyond reasonable doubt. It was revealed that the athlete was also killed in the blast.
Former Senior Superintendent of Police Hector Dharmasiri, SP Dinesh Karunanayake, Kasi Rathnam Pradeep, Mohommed Ali Hassen Sanser, Ruwanmini Dawpar Cooray and Priyankara Perera had testified before the Gampaha High Court. Late Minister’s wife MP Dr.Sudharshani Fernandopulle was present in Court when the verdict was announced.
Add new comment