Abduction case goes to trial

The trial of a Chief Inspector of Police and a Police constable charged with allegedly abducting eight persons was taken up for hearing before the Kandy High Court Judge D.S.C.Lekamwasam on Wednesday. The charges read out related to the alleged abductions of persons from Ambagahapelessa in Hasalaka Police area.

The two accused Chief Inspector Sisira Jayasekera (now under intediction and on bail) and Police Constable W.M.A.Kiri Banda pleaded not guilty to the charges. State Counsel Jude Nanayakkara led evidence of the father of one abductee where the alleged offence of abduction had taken place on July 24, 1989.

The witness H. Rajapakse said that he is a resident of Ambagahaplessa and that he lived with his wife Hemalata Rajapakse (37) and that he had three sons. He told court that he is a farmer. He said that he has one son living with him now. He said that he lives about eight miles away from Hasalaka Police Station and that he knew Chief Inspector Jayaskera as he has met him at the police station when he had to go on social service work to the police station.

He told Court that the environment of the area was normal on July 24, 1989. He said that one of the sons P.Rajapakse was living with him and his other son Mahinda Rajapakse was living at his mother-in-law’s house at Morayaya, which is around seven miles from his home.

The witness told court that he had gone to work when he was informed that the police had come to his home. It took him around 15 minutes to return home and that as he came he saw some police officers surrounding his house. In the front compound was Hasalaka Police OIC, whom he knew. It was around 10 15 in the morning. The wintness said that his wife and son were at home.

When State Counsel questioned the witness whether he knew the Hasalaka OIC he told court that he was Sisira Jayasekera, the first accused. He also said that for about one year he had been at Hasalaka Police Station. He said that all Police officers were in full uniform.

He told court the OIC warned him not to enter the house as the house was being searched. To a question from court he said that he did not question as to what they were searching for. The OIC said there was a list of names and Palitha, his son’s name was there and he was to be taken to record a statement. At this stage court was adjourned and the case is to be called on April 23, 2008.