Guneratne remanded over a killing in 2001
October 25, 2016, 12:00 pm
Former UPFA Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne was yesterday remanded till November 01 by Negombo Additional Magistrate Kapila Dushmantha Epitawela for allegedly running over a UNP supporter at Thillanduwa Junction during the general election campaign in 2001.
UNP supporter Somachandra Royel, a resident of Opatha, Kotugoda was killed in that incident on November 17, 2001.
A clash had occurred between UNP and SLFP supporters when Sarath Guneratne came in a motorcade with his supporters to the venue of a meeting organised by former UNP parliamentarian Olitha Premathiratne at
Thillanduwa Junction in Negombo. It is alleged that Guneratne’s supporters fled the scene running over rival supporters.
Somachandra, who suffered critical injuries in the incident died after admission to hospital, while three other who received serious injuries were also admitted to the Negombo hospital.
Negombo police, who investigated the incident, sought Attorney General’s instructions to arrest Deputy Minister Gunaratne. When the AG advised the police to arrest him and produce him in court in 2005 they failed to carry out the instructions at the time.
Police once again sought Attorney General’s advice on the matter this year, following which the AG on September 19 ordered that Guneratne be charged and to issue warrants for his arrest.
Sarath Guneratne surrendered to Negombo Headquarters Chief Inspector Samanthilaka Weliwita through senior attorney at law Nelson P. Kumararatne and a team of lawyers yesterday morning after which he was produced before Additional Magistrate Epitawela.
