Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga, the main suspect of the “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” murder was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (June 04) for an identification parade.

Piyumanga, who is currently held at Boossa Prison, was brought to court under tight security. 

Two eyewitnesses were presented during the parade, but neither was able to positively identify him as the gunman, reports say.

The suspect was later presented before Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali in her chambers and was ordered to be remanded further until June 06. The Magistrate also directed that he appear via Skype for the next hearing.

Ganemulla Sanjeewa, an alleged gang leader remanded in connection with 19 murder cases, was shot dead on February 19 inside the No. 05 Magistrate’s Court at the Hulftsdorp Courts Complex.

The Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered to further remand of former Acting Director of the National Lotteries Board, Thusitha Halloluwa, until June 06.

The charges involve the alleged unauthorized use of a computer and mobile phone, reportedly valued at over Rs. 470,000, during his time at office.

The Committee of Inquiry (CoI) to inquire and report its findings on suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon against acts of gross abuse of power convened yesterday (June 03) at the Parliamentary complex.

Representatives of the Attorney General’s Department handed over witnesses’ affidavits to Tennakoon’s legal team.

The committee is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and includes Justice W\.M.N.P. Iddawela and National Police Commission Chairman E.D.M. Lalith Ekanayake.

During the session, Additional Solicitor General President’s Counsel Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, informed the committee that they had visited the residence of Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawickrama, who represents Deshabandu Tennakoon, to hand over 12 affidavits from witnesses.

Additionally, affidavits from 10 witnesses were handed over to Deshabandu Tennakoon’s legal team when the committee convened. Representatives of the Department also stated that the remaining affidavits are expected to be presented during the next committee session.

Accordingly, the legal team representing the IGP requested that, as previously agreed, all affidavits of the witnesses be handed over to them.

Following clarifications from both sides, the committee stated that providing copies of six more affidavits to Tennakoon’s legal team was appropriate.

After both parties expressed agreement, the committee also granted permission for two additional affidavits to be read in private within the Parliament premises on a mutually convenient date and time.

The committee also decided to hand over a compact disc (CD) containing a media interview, submitted as another piece of evidence, to Tennakoon’s legal team. Representatives of the Attorney General’s Department have facilitated this handover, the statement from the Department of Communications of Parliament said.

The legal team representing Deshabandu Tennakoon is scheduled to present its position regarding these affidavits at the next committee session to be held on June 09.