General Ratwatte remanded for the sixth time

[TamilNet, Monday, 15 April 2002, 17:45 GMT]
The former Deputy Defence Minister and MP for Kandy district General Anurudhha Ratwatte was remanded for the sixth time by the Teldeniya Magistrate Ms Inoka Ranasinghe Monday in connection with the Udathalawinne massacre in which ten Muslims were gunned down on the general election day, December 5 last year. However, the Magistrate instructed the police to expedite the investigation and serve charge sheets against suspects who have prima facie cases.

General Ratwatte was produced in Teledeniya court five times after his arrest. The Teldeniya Magistrate ordered remand for him every time he was produced in court.

All the thirty-nine suspects including General Ratwatte and his two sons, Lohan and Chanuka were produced in Teledeniya magistrates’ court Monday in connection with the Udathalawinne murder case. General Ratwatte and his two sons are kept in Bogambara prison.

The prosecuting Police officer told court that the investigations into the case were not completed and applied for a further date. The Magistrate allowed the application and put off the further inquiry for April 29.

Court sources said that the identification parade in the murder case would be held on the next date.

Furthermore the court was informed that 23and 24th suspects had indicated their willingness to make special statements in regard to the massacre to the Magistrate on the next date.