At the time Bharatha Lakshman , the Presidential advisor was shot and killed by Duminda Silva , the OIC of the Mulleriyawa police station, and SSP Nugegoda Deshabandu Tennekoon had been in the fleet of vehicles of Duminda Silva. These shocking details were revealed in the Magistrate court at the trial by the witness when giving evidence.
On 2011-10-08 in the shoot out at Mulleriyawa, four persons died including Bharatha Lakshman. The trial in this case began before the Additional magistrate Prassana Alwis on the 20th.
The Driver of Duminda Silva M P , Balasuriyarachige Chaminda told in evidence that he saw SSP Tennekoon in the fleet of vehicles of Duminda Silva. Dhananjaya Madushanka Silva ,a supporter of Duminda Silva stated , not only the SSP , but even the OIC of the Mulleriyawa police station was in the fleet of vehicles.
The driver Liyanage Saman Perera of the deceased Bharatha Lakshman giving evidence said, before the murder occurred , Duminda Silva M P and his group (with his fleet of vehicles) appeared from the opposite direction of their vehicle. Bharatha Lakshman has then alighted from his vehicle and so did Duminda . Thereafter there was an argument between them . The witness has then seen Duminda slapping Bharatha. Immediately afterwards , Duminda had taken a pistol and shot Bharatha. But the witness said , he did not see whether Duminda’s shooting hit Bharatha . In all probability it struck Bharatha, he added.
Both Balasooriya Arachige Chaminda, the driver of Duminda and Dhananjaya Madushanka Silva a supporter of Duminda , giving evidence said , it was Bharatha’s group which shot first . Duminda Silva who got shot then fell down , they related.
Manjula Prasad Hettiarachi , a private security personnel of Duminda said, he saw the individual Galabada who was with Duminda shooting Bharatha on his leg . When Bharatha fell down he saw him being shot at with T 56 rifles.
The lawyers appearing on behalf of late Bharatha Lakshman the victim raised strong protests in court over the summoning of only witness for the prosecution by the CID .
Considering the first objection , the Additional Magistrate ordered the CID to produce the witnesses , if there are any more by 21st to the court
LeN