Lasantha Wickrematunge murder – More details revealed

COLOMBO (News1 st) - It was revealed in court today, that pages from the notebooks of late senior journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and the police record book had been removed under the influence of former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara. The Criminal Investigations Department stated that the information was revealed through a statement by former IP Tissa Sugathapala. Former Inspector Tissa Sugathapala and Former Deputy Police Chief Prasanna Nanayakkara who were suspects in the Lasantha Wickramatunga case, were presented before court today. The second accused, Tissa Sugathapala, was the Officer In Charge of the Crimes Division at the Mount Lavinia Police station. When the case was called today, the CID stated that seven individuals from the Motorcycle Division of the Army Intelligence Unit had been questioned in connection to the motorcycle used to carry out the murder. Further, statements have also been recorded from Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Former Minister Mervin Silva. The Magistrate also permitted the CID to obtain a forensic report on Lasantha Wickrematunge's cellphone. The CID informed the court that even though they went to the prison to obtain a statement from Former Deputy Police Chief Prasanna Nananayakkara regarding the case, they failed to do so as he had fainted.