Kilinochchi court extends remand for Sri Lanka policemen

[TamilNet, Monday, 14 November 2005, 13:00 GMT]
Tamil Eelam district court, Kilinochchi ordered further remand for three Sri Lankan policemen until 28 November. Prosecution assured the Court there was progress in investigations and that evidence was emerging that the accuesd entered Tamil eelam areas for purposes other than trying to arrest a child molester as was earlier claimed by the defendents. The case was taken up before District Judge Sathana, Monday, 14 November at 12.30 pm when bail was denied.

P.Bhavani, Inspector of Police, Tamil Eelam argued that investigations so far were leading towards identifying the detainees as belonging to a team of sharp shooters assembled by the Sri lankan Armed Forces to penetrate Tamil Eelam areas with hit-lists.

K.A.D. Sarath, B.W.Bopetigoda and W.G.D.S. Hemantha, all in their thirties and claiming to belong the Sri Lankan Police, were arrested while in hiding in the LTTE controlled area on 10 September and were charged originally for entering Tamil Eelam without prior permission.

Because of the conflicting confessions from the arrested Tamil Eelam Police decided to conduct proper investigations and had them remanded.

Despite the Defence Attorney Velavar's plea for bail, the Police argued that as it involved safety and protection of Tamil Eelam, the detainees need to be questioned further.

The attorneys for prosecution and defence including the detainees were summoned to the Judge's chambers where after discussions, request for further remand was upheld and the Police were requested by the Judge to expedite investigations.

The three policemen from Sri Lanka pleaded they had crossed the border to arrest a culprit absconding justice in sri Lanka.