Video: Vaas case: Confusion in Court

19 July 2013 06:59 am Views - 13883

Confusion prevailed at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today when four suspects informed the Magistrate that the lawyer making submissions on their behalf was not retained by them nor did he represent them.

The four policemen who are in custody on charges of having killed a businessman said they were not represented by Counsel Anura Ranasinghe after State Counsel Wasantha Perera who made submissions on behalf of the CID informed the Magistrate that Mr. Ranasinghe did not represent the suspects though he was making submissions on their behalf.

When Additional Magistrate A.M. Shahabdeen asked the suspects whether Mr. Ranasinghe represented themthey said they were not.

Counsel Ranasinghe told court the suspects had been threatened by the CID and were given an undertaking they would be made state witnesses and that this resulted in their refusing his services.

Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, who is appearing for the suspect former DIG Vaas Gunawardena,was given permission to submit written submissions on behalf of Mr. Gunawardene on August 1.

The suspects were further remanded till August 1. (FT)