Witness picks out murder accused

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 January 2001, 16:50 GMT]
Three of several Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers, including an officer, accused of murdering eight civilians in Mirusuvil in Jaffna on 19 December were identified by the prime witness, Ponnuthurai Maheswaran, during an identification parade held Wednesday. Thirteen government troops including two officers have been arrested in connection with the massacre. Seven of them appeared for the identification parade.

The soldiers were produced at Chavakachcheri District Court, functioning in Pt.Pedro at 11.30 a.m. Wednesday. The judge ordered the soldiers be remandered till 10 January. The remaining six soldiers will be produced in the courts Thursday.

The following three soldiers were identified by the witness today: Lt.R.W.M.Moonesinghe, Lance Corporal R.M.S.Ratnayake, and Lance Corporal G.N.Jayaratne.

Sources said a large number of armed police personnel were deployed in the court house and the road outside was closed for traffic from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m.

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