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Khuram Shaikh assaulted when he tried to intervene in dispute : Hotel manageress
Testifying in the High Court trial over the killing of British national Khuram Shaikh on Christmas Day in 2011 (three years back this week), the Manageress of ‘The Nature’ hotel in Tangalle explained how the British national tried to intervene to resolve a dispute between two groups and was beaten up.
Ms. Tharanga Peiris told Court that when she made an attempt to inform the Police about the clash, the fourth accused, Praneeth Chathuranga, threatened her at gun point.
Tkacheva Victoria Alexandra in courts last week
The accused in this case are charged with the murder and attempted murder of the fiance of Tkacheva Victoria Alexandra and alleged gang rape of Victoria. The suspects are Obada Arachchige Lahiru Kelum, U. Saman Deshapriya, Sampath Vidanapathirana (former Chairman (UPFA) of the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha), Weerappulige Praneeth Chathuranga, Mohottige Sarath and Sarana arachchi Patabendige Chanuka Chathuranga.
The trial was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Rohini Walgama.Ms. Peiris said she took over as manageress, about two months before the incident at the hotel, which has 20 rooms and a staff of 16.
She said a Christmas party had been organised by the hotel management and tickets were sold for the event which was attended by locals as well as foreigners.
She said that Shaikh and Victoria had become friends of the hotel staff as they had spent a few days there.
She said there were about 10 to 15 persons with the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman at the party
“I heard some persons were shouting and rushed in that direction. I noticed that one person had been assaulted. I saw them in a group and the person known as Sampath was also present. I saw the person who was assaulted running towards the reception desk with difficulty’.
She said that she shouted out not to assault the person, but the assaulting did not stop immediately.
“At this point Shaikh came towards the place where the commotion was going on. I held him back and told him it was not our problem and not to go there. But he pushed me aside and went forward. He thought that one of our staff members had a problem,” she said.
He went there and asked ‘what are you doing?’
The main suspect being brought to courts. (file pic)
At this point Shaikh fell down because I think some one had hit him. He got up and went towards the reception area. The group continued to assault him. Thereafter he went towards the swimming pool. He appeared very tired and could not protect himself.
She said thereafter the group assaulted Victoria and she fell into the pool. When she tried to come out of it she was hit with a chair.
“When I went back to the reception area some one shouted to call the police. However I could not call the police as a person who came with Sampath pointed a gun at me and said I will be killed if I would call the police. I did not call the police as I feared for my life,” Ms. Peiris said.
She said she saw Shaikh falling down and another staff member trying to carry him.
“At that point I heard somebody asking for the manager of the hotel. I then went towards the laundry area in the rear,” she added.
She said she then ran to a nearby hotel seeking help.
Ms. Peiris was due to give evidence on Thursday but as she fell ill she could not continue.
On Thursday the case was postponed for April 22. Four of the suspects were granted bail while the PS chairman continues to remain in remand custody.
Senior State Counsel Thusith Mudalige appeared for the prosecution.The first accused Lahiru Kelum was represented by Jayantha Weerasinghe, PC,
Attorneys Dilan Amarakoon, Ranjith Senanayake and Pradeep Jayakody appeared for W. Arachchige Lahiru Kelum alias Ravindra.
Attorneys Suresh Kariyawasam, Asith Siriwardana and Nalinda Indratissa appeared for Uduwanage Saman Deshapriya.
Kalinga Indratissa, PC., with Hemantha Gamage Chamika Hewapathirana and Niroshan Siriwardana appeared for Sampath Chandra Pushpa Widanapathirana.
Attorneys Suranga Munasinghe and Dhammika Hewapathirana appeared for Weerappulige Praneeth Chathuranga.
Attorneys Vikum Panagoda and U.R. De Silva appeared for Mohottige Sarath alias Sahan while counsel Rohana Deshapriya and Razeek Zarook, PC., appeared for Sarana Arachchipatabedige Chanuka Chathuranga.