Chemmani case moved to Colombo

[TamilNet, Thursday, 01 June 2000, 08:25 GMT]
The Magisterial inquiry relating to Chemmani graves came up for hearing before Colombo Chief Magistrate G.D.Kulatilake Wednesday. Initially the Jaffna Magistrate's Court heard the case, but following an order by the Court of Appeal, the matter was transferred to the Colombo Magistrate.

The Court of Appeal made this order after an application by the suspect army officers that their lives were in danger in appearing at the Jaffna Magistrate's Court for the case.

The Court allowed an application by Senior State Counsel Yasantha Kodagoda seeking written authority from Court to enable a senior CID Officer to proceed to Jaffna and bring the relevant case records presently lying at the Jaffna Majestrate's Court.

Mr. Kodagoda explained to the Court that he was seeking an order with a view to expedite the trial Senior State Counsel Yasantha Kodagoda with Senior Superintendent of Police Dalpadadu appeared for the prosecution. Attorney at law Saliya Pieris appeared for the suspects.

The Chemmani case revolves around the testimony of one of the soldiers found guilty in the assault, rape and murder of Krishanthy Kumaraswamy and the murder of her mother, brother and a neighbour. Upon being convicted, Rajapakse queried why he was being singled out for punishment when he knew of hundreds of bodies being dumped by other soldiers in the grounds of Chemmani.

The government opened the investigation into the allegations after intense international pressure. After many delays and rumours of evidence being destroyed, 17 bodies were discovered in the areas the Rajapakse pointed out.

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