The ruling party parliamentarian Duminda Silva is not a suspect in the murder investigation of a presidential advisor, officials say. Sri Lanka defence spokesman Lakshman Hulugalle told BBC Sandeshaya that the young MP currently recovering after a brain surgery is not a suspect in the Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra murder investigation.
Mr Premachandra’s driver has testified that it was Mr Silva, an advisor to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who first shot at the presidential advisor on trade union in Kolonnawa on 08 October.
Mr Silva then ordered his men to shoot at Mr Premachandra, the eye witness, Saman Shantha Perera has told the police.
Mr Duminda Silva is a patient with injuries. There is no evidence at all to make him a suspect
“Mr Duminda Silva is a patient with injuries. There is no evidence at all to make him a suspect,” was the response by Mr Hulugalle.
The young MP, who is a leading figure in ruling party’s youth front led by the president’s son, Namal, MP, is reported to be recovering after the surgery at Sri Jayawardenepura hospital.
“Apart from those who were there may be private bodyguards and others, no supporters of Mr Duminda Silva have been arrested,” said Mr Hulugalle.
He said two suspects who have fled to India have been arrested.
The suspects might have taken Indian visas prior to the shooting that killed at least four people, added Mr Hulugalle.
Strongly criticising the way the investigations are carried out, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has urged the authorities to arrest all suspects for the shooting that happened in broad daylight in Mulleriyawa, a Colombo suburb.
“There is no report of any warrant issued for the arrest of Duminda Silva or any others regarding the triple murder,” the AHRC said in a statement.
Election monitoring group Caffe has said that the police in Mulleriyawa ignored instructions by the elections commissioner to provide adequate security in Kolonnawa.
BBC Sinhala