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Brian Thomas’s DNA to be tested over Schaffter’s death

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Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya yesterday (24) granted permission to obtain a DNA report on former cricket commentator Brian Thomas over the death of late Director of Janashakthi PLC Dinesh Schaffter.

The Magistrate issued this order on the request of the members of the five-member expert panel chaired by Asela Mendis, Professor of Forensic Medicine of the University of Colombo, appointed by the court in relation to the incident.

This request has been made after it was revealed that there are two more unidentified biological samples based on the DNA reports obtained into the death.

The government analyst reported to the court that the water bottle used by Mr. Schaffter, the cable wire that was used to strangle him and the zip tie that was used to tie his hands contained unidentified biological samples.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Court that according to the tests, the DNA samples obtained from the Borella Cemetery watchmen and four other persons including a Police officer do not match with the DNA samples taken from the place where Schaffter was found.

In addition, the CID told the court that medical reports showed that the vomit on Mr.Schaffter’s shirt contained poison.

The expert panel said that more time is needed to arrive at a final decision regarding this death and since investigation reports are being received from time to time, these should be properly investigated.

The aggrieved party agreed to provide all the support to the expert panel.

After considering the facts, the Magistrate issued the orders and asked the panel to submit the conclusion over the death as soon as possible.

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Petition against secret ballot at Seethawaka PS, dismissed

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The Court of Appeal has dismissed without hearing, a petition filed by opposition members of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

The petition sought an interim injunction against Western Province Local Government Commissioner – Sarangika Jayasundara, urging to stop a secret ballot for electing the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

The decision, delivered by a panel of judges comprising the Chairman of the Court of Appeal – Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.

Meanwhile, the similar petitions from the Mawathagama and Seethawaka Urban Councils were also rejected.

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Duminda granted bail under strict conditions

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Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake, who was arrested and remanded over the discovery of a gold-plated T-56 firearm at an apartment complex in Havelock Town, Colombo, has been granted bail under strict conditions.

Colombo Chief High Court Judge – Manjula Thilakaratne today (July 14) ordered his release on a cash bail of Rs.250,000 and 02 surety bonds of Rs.05 million each.

The court further directed that the 02 sureties must be Colombo residents and ordered that Dissanayake’s passport be handed over to the court, imposing a travel ban on him.

Although the counsel for the Attorney General strongly objected to bail being granted, the Chief High Court Judge ruled that, since it has not yet been established that the suspect was in possession of the firearm, the court decided to grant bail.  

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CEYPETCO halts recruitment amid workforce downsizing

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Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) Managing Director – Dr. Mayura Nettikumara says no new recruitments will be made, as modern technology has enabled the corporation to reduce its workforce.

He assured that existing employees need not fear about their job security, explaining that the current staff strength has been downsized from around 3,290 in 2012 to 2,031 under a new manpower structure.

Many employees are due to retire this year and next, and will not be replaced, he said.

“We have stopped many inefficient services, so there is no need for new people now,” Dr. Nettikumara has further said.

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