Malaka, Rehan in prison hospital

Malaka Silva, the son of minister Mervyn Silva, and Rehan Dhanushka Wijeratne Jayawickreme, two accused in the assault of a military officer, are suffering from serious illnesses, their lawyers said in courts today (Sept. 17). Colombo Fort magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne was told so when he took up the case pertaining to the assault of Army intelligence major Pradeep Susen and the snatching of his service firearm at JAIC Hilton Hotel.

The lawyers said Rehan had to be connected to a machine before he goes to sleep and that Malaka suffers from frequent bouts of illnesses.

The two, along with five other suspects – Hiramuthugodage Nalinda Janaka, Nagallage Don Nilu Aravinda, Vinod Hewage Suresh Pushpakumara, Aruwa Badathurage Sarath Upali and Ekanayake Pathirage Ramera Satyajith - have all been remanded until September 24.

President’s counsel Hemantha Warwnakulasuriya, lawyers Jayantha Weerasinghe and Anton Senanayake appear on behalf of Malaka and Rehan.

Leading the prosecution, CCD SSP D.L. Ranaweera said the military officer’s service pistol, mobile phone and the car keys had been lost during the incident at the lobby of the hotel.

The major’s buddy Corporal Salinda Sampath Dissanayake too, had been assaulted.

On the following day, the driver of Malaka Silva handed over the firearm and ammunition to Slave Island police, but the car keys were yet to be found.

Among the large gathering present in the court for the hearing were minister Mervyn Silva and his wife.

 Both Malaka Silva and Rehan Wijeratne, who were ordered to be remanded by the Fort Magistrate yesterday, were admitted to the Prison Hospital from the Magazine prison, informed sources said.

They also said the other five suspects were transferred to the normal prison ward.