Making a dock statement in connection with the Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra murder case, UPFA former MP Duminda Silva informed Colombo High Court that he is innocent of all 17 charges made against him including committing the murder of four persons including former MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.
Former MP Duminda Silva, the eleventh accused in the case requested the Trial-at-Bar bench that he be acquitted and released from all charges levelled against him.
The former MP further informed Court that he was elected to the Western Provincial Council in 2004 securing the highest number of preferential votes from the Colombo District under UNP ticket. He further said he was also elected as a Parliamentarian during the 2010 General Election securing the highest number of preferential votes from the Colombo District.
Meanwhile, Vincent Premalal Silva, the father of Duminda Silva also gave evidence before the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar, as a defence witness.
The special Trial-at-Bar comprised three High Court Judges - Shiran Gunaratne, Pathmini N. Ranawaka and C. B. S. Moreis.
The Trial-at-Bar hearing has concluded prosecution’s evidence in connection with the murder case and the defence evidence are currently being heard.
It has taken the prosecution 48 days to present the case against 13 accused including former UPFA Parliamentarian Duminda Silva.
The Attorney General had called 42 witnesses and presented in Courts 126 documents including the Government Analyst's reports and JMO reports.
The accused who were indicted before the Colombo High Court were; Anura Thushara De Mel, Chandana Jagath Kumara, Chaminda Ravi Jayanath, Lanka Rasanjana, Malaka Sameera, Vidanagamage Amila, Sarath Bandara, Suranga Premalal, Saman Kumara Abeysinghe, Janaka Bandara, Duminda Silva, Rohana Marasinghe and Nagoda Liyanarachchige Chaminda.
The accused had been charged over the killing of Premachandra, Dharshana Jayathilaka, Mohamed Azmy and Manimel Kumaraswamy and inflicting gunshot injuries on Premachandra’s bodyguard Rajapurage Gamini after being the members of an unlawful assembly on October 8, 2011 at Walpola, Mulleriyawa.
