Gnanakone released

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 06 December 2005, 13:14 GMT]
Mr. Charles Gnanakone who was detained for the past two months on alleged charges of involvement in the assassination of late SL Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, was released by the Colombo High Court Monday. Gnanakone, a leading bussinessman from Australia, was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department for "misleading" the late Mr. Kadirgamar with regard to his security and safety.

The CID believed that Gnanakone had close connections with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The CID Director Sarath Lugoda who appeared before the High Court Colombo Monday told that the police investigations have found that Gnanakone CID did not find any evidence supporting his involvement in the assassination of Kadirgamar.

The Deputy Solicitor General J.S.Jayasinghe also told the court that from the documents and the reports received by the Attorney-General's department there was no evidence found to accuse Ganakone's involvement in the killing of Kadirgamar.

Following the above statements Colombo High Court Judge M.I.Imam directed the police to discharge Charles Gnanakone from the police detention.

There were several diplomats from the Australian High Commission present at the court to watch the proceedings.