Accused in Devananda attempted murder released

[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 November 2002, 01:55 GMT]
Colombo High Court Friday discharged Kathirgamathamby Jeyapalan who was charged under the Prevention of terrorism Act (PTA) with attempting to kill Douglas Devananda, Secretary General of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), by poisoning him in February 1996, legal sources said.

When the case was taken up inquiry Friday, the State Counsel made an application to court that he had been directed by the Attorney General to withdraw the case due to insufficient evidence.

The only evidence against the accused in this case was the confession purported to have been made by the accused, court sources said.

Allowing the application made by the State Counsel, the High Court Judge Chandra Ekanayake discharged the accused.

The accused was discharged from another case also Friday when the prosecution withdrew the charge against him filed under the PTA.