News

Unknown DNA sample found on Schaffter’s body!

Published

1 year ago

February 15, 2023

editor

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) yesterday (14) informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya that the Government Analyst’s report has mentioned that an unknown DNA sample was found on the body of deceased Janashakthi PLC Director Dinesh Schaffter.

The CID informed the court that the water bottle used by the deceased, the cable wire found around his neck and the zip tie with which his hands were tied, contained foreign DNA samples.

The Additional Magistrate issued an order directing the Chief Judicial Medical Officer of Colombo National Hospital and the Government Analyst to preserve and not to destroy the body parts and blood samples of the deceased businessman.

The CID told the court that the Government Analyst has issued an order to summon the persons who were at the scene of the crime and other suspects to the Analyst’s Office to conduct DNA tests.

Accordingly, to investigate whose DNA samples were found, the Additional Magistrate ordered the CID to present four persons, including the watchmen of the Borella General Cemetery and a police officer who had first visited the place where Schaffter was found in his car, to the Government Analyst.

The Magistrate also issued an order to the director of the Colombo National Hospital to submit to the court the records containing the patient’s bed number and all the medical treatments given to Dinesh Schaffter when the deceased was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Colombo National Hospital on December 15.

The Magistrate made this order subsequent to a request made by President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne, who appeared on behalf of the deceased party.

Mr. Premaratne also requested the court to issue an order to immediately submit the photographs and video footage taken at the time of the autopsy to the court.

A request was also made to submit the reports of one Dr. Nalin who attended to the body and the photographs of the SOCO officers of the Borella Police.

Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the CID to implement these orders immediately since the post-mortem examination of Mr. Schaffter was found questionable and that there is foreign DNA sample found on his body.

(Dinamina)

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

4 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

Philosopher, intellectual and academician Professor Nalin de Silva has passed away at the age of 79. Prof. de Silva initially served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

He was also a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva also worked as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar.

News

‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”

News

Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)

Published

10 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.

This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.

It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.

Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.

Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.

Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.

At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.

Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.

Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.