Jaffna court postpones inquiry into HC applications

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 August 2004, 18:57 GMT]
Jaffna High Court Judge Mr.K.P.S.Varatharajah Wednesday postponed inquiries into several Habeas Corpus applications filed by relatives of disappeared persons following the arrest by the soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army during 1996-1997 period. Corporal Rajapakse who was sentenced to death in the Krishanthy rape and murder case has been cited as the first respondent in these HC applications, legal sources said.

Corporal Rajapakse was produced in court Wednesday when these HC applications were taken up for inquiry, sources said.

The Court gave time till August 30th to Corporal Rajapakse to retain a lawyer on his behalf when it was brought to the notice of the HC Judge that no one from the Jaffna Bar was prepared to appear for him, legal sources said.

At the last date of inquiry the Jaffna Legal Aid Foundation was asked to provide assistance to Corporal Rajapakse to retain a lawyer on his behalf. The Judge further ordered that Corporal Rajapakse should be kept in Jaffna prisons till Wednesday, sources said

The Judge ordered the prison authorities that Corporal Rajapakse should be detained at Anuradhapura prison till August 30 when he was produced Wednesday, sources said.