Man freed as police miss dates

[TamilNet, Friday, 16 July 1999, 20:13 GMT]
The Ampara High Court Judge, Mr.Sisiraappu, today acquitted an man charged under the Prevention of Terrorism (PTA) Act when the defence counsel submitted that the main police witness had been absent for three dates.

The Attorney General had indicted Arumugam Thiayagarajah (20) of Kommathurai, Batticaloa for obtaining weapon training from LTTE, failing to provide information about the LTTE and attacking the Maavadivembu army camp twice.

The accused was arrested by the army on July 7, 1997.

When the case came up for hearing before the Ampara High Court Judge, the defence counsel Premnath submitted that Superintendent of Police V.Gunatilake was the main witness in this case.

He had failed to attend court on three dates.

Furthermore, the fate of the case was solely depended on the confession of the accused which was recorded by the SP Gunaatilake.

The defence counsel further told court that the confession was obtained from the accused under duress.

As such, the court should acquit the accused, defence argued.

The court was informed that troops of the Sri Lanka Army had arrested the accused in Batticaloa. But he was indicted in the Ampara High Court, and no reason had been submitted.

The Ampara High Court Judge then acquitted the accused.