Couple indicted for withholding information

[TamilNet, Friday, 08 October 1999, 09:14 GMT]
Sinnaththamby Vickneswaran and his wife Gnanasakthy Vickneswaran of Veemankamam North, Thellippalai were indicted before Colombo High Court Judge Nimal Dissanayake for failure to give information about a member of LTTE and for possession of pistol and bullets at their Colombo south house.

When the case was taken up for hearing yesterday, the defence counsel Mrs Joy Mahdeva submitted that her clients were charged with committing offences during the period between July 27, 1997, and July 27, 1998.

The defense counsel told the Court that it is difficult to establish exclusive possession when two persons are charged. She added that both husband and wife have been on remand for a long period and their four children had undergone great hardship. Prosecution should withdraw the case against one of the accused on humanitarian grounds, Mrs Mahadeva told the Court.

State counsel Haripriya Jayasunthara appearing for the prosecuion sought time to consider the request, according sources following the case.