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Three LTTE suspects indicted in the killing of army, navy personnel want case transfered to Vavuniya
The three LTTE suspects who were indicted in the murders of 26 army and navy personnel who were in LTTE custody have requested the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) in writing to transfer their court case to the Vavuniya High Court.
The case is currently to be taken up by the Anuradhapura High Court, but has been put off as the three accused are engaged in a fast at the Anuradhapura Prison, where they are being held.
Rasathurai Thiruwaran, Madi Arayan Sulakshan and Ganeshan Darshanan stand accused of taking part in the killings of the 26 armed forces personnel who were in LTTE custody. The case against them had earlier been filed at the Vavuniya High Court, but had been transferred to Anuradhapura after considering a request by witnesses for the prosecution.
The two state witnesses had informed the TID that they could face problems in coming to the Vavuniya High Court to testify.
The three accused, who have been charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), have been on a fast ever since the day the case was transferred to the Anuradhapura High Court and as such, have so far not appeared in court.
The Attorney General (AG) has called for a report from the Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison regarding the three accused and the Sunday Times understands that the AG’s Department hopes to take further action once the court is briefed on that report.
Meanwhile, the issue also figured during President Maithripala Sirisena’s recent visit to Jaffna. A group of protesters waving black flags, including Northern Provincial Councilor K. Sivajilingam and representatives of the Jaffna University’s Student Union requested him to transfer the case against the three individual back to the Vavuniya High Court.
They also warned the President that they would continue to hold protests in Jaffna town if this is not done.
The President had informed them that since the issue related to a judicial matter, he would convey the group’s request to the AG.