Police officer allowed to give evidence from overseas via video technology

The Homagama High Court yesterday allowed a police officer, currently overseas, to give evidence remotely via video technology in connection with the arrest of a suspect with a weapon, while he was on duty in Sri Lanka.

Following a request made by the National Authority for the Protection of Witnesses and Victims (NAPWV), the Homagama High Court yesterday allowed remote evidence to be provided through video technology on December 13.

Accordingly, this is the first time that evidence is being given using remote video technology for a case with the intervention of this authority.

Chairman of the National Authority for the Protection of Witnesses and Victims Suhada Gamlath said that Chief Inspector Manjula De Silva is currently in England and requested the court to obtain remote evidence.

According to Chief Inspector Manjula De Silva’s request, the authority had sought the court’s permission to allow the said police officers to give evidence via video technology. The said officer is to give evidence in three cases in the future due to threats to his life.

Under Homagama High Court Case No. 373/18, this video evidence is being obtained for the case related to the arrest of Asita Hetitiarachchi, who is a suspect in a number of murders.
Accordingly, CI Silva is to give evidence in connection with the cases of the arrest of three suspects with 198 kilograms of heroin and 10 pistols within the Panadura jurisdiction and the arrest of an underworld figure named Wapara Sumudu in Balapitiya with a T-56 firearm.