The father of murdered businessman Mohamed Siyam today withdrew the statement he made regarding former DIG Vass Gunawardena after the latter was sentenced to death in connection with the killing.  

“I was not in a right mind when I made that statement yesterday. I withdraw it,” said Mohamed Zubair Mohamed Huzamdeen, speaking to reporters at his home. 

The former DIG, his son Ravindra Gunawardena and four other police officers were sentenced to death by the by the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday (27) after being found guilty for the abduction and murder of Siyam. 

Speaking to reporters outside the court premises after the verdict was delivered, Siyam’s father had claimed his son was not murdered by Vass Gunawardena. “I have no suspicion regarding Vass Gunawardena,” he had declared. 

However, Mr Huzamdeen now says that he was saddened and disappointed by the fact that two other suspects in the case were not given the same sentencing. “I was expecting them to get the same sentence.” 

He stated that he does not even know what he had said due to the tension at the time and that he agrees with the decision of the court.  

Siyam, a father of three involved in the footwear business, had gone missing after dining with a friend named as M Fouzdeen in a Colombo suburb. His body was found with gunshot wounds in the Dompe area on May 22, 2013. 

Following investigations, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Mr Gunawardena on charges including murder for financial gain and conspiracy to kill.