January 8, 2012, By Jayantha de Silva
When the kidnapping and ransom demand case involving a juvenile student of Royal College was taken up for hearing on (5) Wednesday, Police informed the Mt.Lavinia Chief Magistrate Nirosha Fernando that the principal suspect, a former STF member is still absconding.
The Magistrate rejected the bail application of suspects Rangajeewa Kumarasiri, Aruna Ruwansiri, Upul Ranjith and Suranga Wijesiri and re-remanded them till January 19.
Police further informed that the absconding suspect, by virtue of being a former member of the STF possessed fire arms training.
This aspect had been taken into consideration in apprehending the suspect.
The van used for the kidnapping was owned by a rent a car company and had been earlier enlarged on bonded bail by the Avissawella Court in connection with a separate case, the police said.
Replying to a query as to why the mother had not been listed as a witness, police explained that the mother of the boy had been gagged and bound in a room.
Hence it was the boy who was privy to the incident. Accordingly he should be listed as the principal witness.
In this case, the suspects are alleged to have being involved in the kidnapping of the student from his Mt. Lavinia residence after trussing up his mother, before fleeing in a van.
The abductors had later demanded a ransom out of which Rs.2, 80,000 had been paid by the boys father.
PC 34879 Hemantha Hettiarachi prosecuted.
