Legal procedures on hold till statement is taken from Duminda Silva

The Attorney General told the Colombo Magistrate Court today (June 5) that it was not possible to continue legal procedures regarding the Baratha Lakshman Premachandra murder case without recording a statement from defendant MP Duminda Silva.

Duminda Silva is currently receiving treatment abroad following the shooting incident that occurred in Mulleriyawa which ended up with the death of former MP Baratha Lakshman.

When the case was brought up to court today, Attorney Madhawa Tennakoon was representing the Attorney General who stated that Duminda Silva who is currently abroad is not in a state to give a statement regarding the case while it remains unclear as to when a statement can be taken.

The Attorney General stated that the legal procedures will continue as soon as a statement is recorded from the defendant.

Attorney representing Duminda Silva, Hemantha Warnakulasuriya stated that Premachandra’s daughter Hirunika had been guilty of contempt of court on several occasions while the state attorney presented several complaints, newspaper articles and tv footage to the court in request that it take action against Hirunika Premachandra.

The attorney representing Baratha Lakshman stated that the incident involving the smashing of coconuts outside the court was a demonstration of a religious belief while he reminded the court that a person has the right to demonstrate his or her religious belief as he requested the court to reject these accusations.

Additional Colombo Magistrate, Prasanna de Silva stated that the issue will be discussed further when the case is taken up again on June 26.

Furthermore, he ordered that all the suspects be kept in remand custody until June 19.