Indictment served on SLRC co-ordinator

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 January 2000, 19:57 GMT]
Colombo High Court Judge Chandradasa Nanayakara served an indictment on Sivanathan Kishore, North-East Co-ordinator of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society.

President's Counsel A. L. M. Ameen instructed by Attorney at law Gowry Shankary Thavarasa submitted that the accused had already filed a fundamental rights application in the Supreme Court challenging the legality of his arrest.

While the application was pending, the indictment has been filed in the High Court.

Mr. Ameen continued that the only material against his client at the trial is his statement to the police. There was no confession made by him. The charges could not be maintained, he submitted.

Mr. Ameen added that his client was earlier detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act Later it was cancelled and the Colombo Chief Magistrate remanded him under the Emergency Regulations.

Further trial was put off for March 2.

State Counsel Eleepola appeared for the prosecution. President's Counsel A. L. M. Ameen with K. V. Thavarasa, S. Kalupana and D. Sebanayagam instructed by Gowry Shankary Thavarasa appeared for the accused, Kishore Sivanathan.