Ratwatte security tightened - IGP

[TamilNet, Thursday, 01 May 2003, 10:07 GMT]
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr.T.E.Anandarajah, Wednesday informed the Justice Ministry that the security of the former Deputy Defence Minister General Ratwatte has been strengthened following the court instruction, police said.

Mr. Anandarajah said that the security of the prison where General Ratwatte is held has also been tightened. He further said action has already been taken to provide additional security to the courthouse building where the Udathalawinne massacre case is heard.

When the Udathalawinne massacre case was taken for further inquiry on Tuesday before a three member bench of the High Court the defence counsel informed court that the security provided to the key accused in the case General Ratwatte was not adequate and his security should be tightened as he faced threat to his life. The High Court put off the case for May 5 instructing the IGP to take steps to provide tight security to General Ratwatte while in remand and in court, according to earlier reports.

General Ratwatte, his two sons Lohan and Chanuka along with twelve army soldiers have been indicted by the Attorney General for the murder of ten Muslim youths on the last general election day, December 05, 2001. The accused are facing a trial-at-Bar inquiry before a three-member bench presided Justice Eric Basanayake, legal sources said.