Udugampola case: Hearing on Feb. 15

By L.B.Senaratne

The hearing of the case in which Assistant Superintendent of Police Kulasiri Udugampola faces nineteen charges, has been fixed for February 15 and 16. Kandy High Court Judge Ms. Kumudini Wickramasinghe fixed these days in connection with the first charge falling under the Official Secrets Act.

Senior State Counsel Riyaz Hamza appearing for the Attorney General submitted to Court the amended first charge. In making submissions to Court Senior State Counsel Hamza said the accused was indicted in September 2005 but the case has not got off the ground and he sought the indulgence of the Court to fix the hearing as early as possible.

ASP Udugampola is to stand trial in the Kandy High Court on 19 charges including the first indictment under the Official Secrets Act. There are nineteen charges against the accused, out of which eighteen charges are under the Penal Code.

The charges are for aiding and abetting the Headquarters Inspector of Kandy to wrongfully confine the suspects in Kandy, for aiding and abetting OIC Katugastota Chief Inspector Mohottigedera to confine the suspects at Katugastota Police Station and also for illegally framing charges against the Army Commander and a Brigadier.

The accused was present in Court. Senior State Counsel Riyaz Hamza appeared for the prosecution.