“Honor, I respectfully request this Honorable Court to expedite this case. Four out of the six defendants have passed away. Additionally, seventeen of the thirty-five witnesses are deceased. Furthermore, six attorneys, including a President’s Counsel who represented this case, have also passed away. The passage of time risks further complications, Your Honor, as more individuals connected to this case may pass. Therefore, I urge this Honorable Court to set an early date for the hearing,” Attorney-at-Law Navaratne Bandara stated during a special request before the court.
This plea was made on January 8 before Kandy High Court Judge Darshika Wimalasiri, during proceedings related to the bombing death of an individual in the Kurunduwatta area of Gampola during the 2000 Provincial Council elections. Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, named as the second defendant in the case, was among those present in court.
The government attorney, who typically travels from Colombo, was absent on the scheduled date. Considering the submissions made by lawyers representing both sides, the High Court Judge postponed the hearing to April 1.
On the day of the hearing, it was revealed that a key witness in the case had also passed away. The second defendant, former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, and the fourth defendant, Sisira Aluthgamage, were present in court. A legal team, including President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne, appeared on behalf of Mr. Rambukwella, while Attorney-at-Law Navaratne Bandara represented Mr. Aluthgamage.
