Raviraj case to be tried before a ‘Special Jury’

 

By Shehan Chamika Silva

 

The Colombo High Court today allowed to conduct the trial pertaining to killing of Former TNA MP Nadaraja Raviraj in the presence of a Special Jury.

 

High Court Judge Manilal Waidyathilaka made the decision considering the provisions vested in Criminal Procedure Code that to demand a jury trial by the prosecution or the defence on justifiable reasons.

 

At a previous occasion, the defence attorneys appeared on behalf of the accused had requested for a jury trial consisting of Sinhala speaking members into the murder of the former TNA MP. 

 

The Prosecution had sought court to conduct the trial in the presence of a Special Jury which is comprised with seven jurors who are Sinhala speaking Sri Lankan graduates.

 

However, the Counsel who appeared on behalf of the aggrieved party, raised objections against the request stating that a trial by jury could not be allowed in this case since three charges out of five had been leveled under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

 

The High Court judge refused the objection raised by the aggrieved party and allowed the request made by the both prosecution and defence.

 

Earlier, The Colombo High Court allowed prosecution to continue the trial in the absence of missing three suspects into the case under the section 241 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

 

There were six suspects indicted by the Attorney General under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over killing of Raviraj and his driver in 2006.

 

The three suspects, Palana sami suresh, Febian Tusen and Sivakanandan alias Charan were missing from the case.

 

Other suspects in remand custody were Prasad Chandana Kumara, Gamini Seneviratne and Pradeep Chaminda.

 

Wijeya Wickrema Manamperige Sanjaya Preethi Viraj who was also once a suspect to the case was made as a Crown witness for the Raviraj murder trial by the prosecution.

 

Raviraj was shot dead near his residence at Manning Town in Narahenpita in November 2006 when he was driving his vehicle along Martha Road.

 

Deputy Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysooriya appeared for the Attorney General. Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the accused.