Malaka remanded until Sept 24

Malaka Silva, Rehan Wijeratne and five others were ordered to be remanded till September 24 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne.

They were produced in Court over the alleged assault on an army officer. The Magistrate also directed that they be produced at an identification parade on the same day.

In their report to Court the police levelled strong allegations against the seven suspects and moved Court to have them remanded till October 1 because according to witnesses the suspects had been involved in the assault on Major Susena.

Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) SSP D.R.L. Ranaweera told Court that only the first accused Malaka and the second accused Rehan were being produced in open Court because they had been identified by the complainant. He said the five other suspects would be produced at an identification parade.

SSP Ranaweera said at about 3.00 a.m. on September 9, ten suspects including Malaka Silva had assaulted the Army Major after robbing his service revolver, mobile phone and car key.

“The incident had taken place at the hotel lobby. The complainant army officer is in the army hospital being treated for head injuries and the army corporal who was with the Major had also been assaulted by the suspects. According to a statement given by high ranking army officer, the revolver has been officially given to the Army Major. According to the first complaint, ten suspects had involved in the incident and we are yet to arrest three other suspects,” SSP Ranaweera said.

President’s Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya with Jayantha Weerasekera appearing for Malaka Silva said the incident had taken place in the car park of the JAIC Hilton, not at the hotel lobby as stated by the police. They said the suspects can be released on bail because the offences could be even referred to the mediation board.

Having considered the submissions, the Magistrate ordered that the suspects be remanded till September 24 and police were ordered to obtain the video footage of the incident.