The main suspect in the murder of Nalanda Ellawala,  Deputy Minister Susantha Punchi Nilame has been cleared of all charges and was subsequently released on Wednesday.

The verdict was delivered by High Court Judge, Achala Vengappuli when the case was taken up at the Ratnapura high court. Nalanda Ellawala was killed during a shootout between supporters belonging to the United National Party and the People’s Alliance in the Kuruwita area on February 11, 1997.

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