The post mortem inquiry into the death of former Parliamentarian and Presidential Adviser on Trade Union Affairs, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra on election day at Mulleriyawa was held before the Colombo Chief Magistrate.
In evidence led by ASP Shani Abeysekera of the CID, Mr. Premachandra’s driver, Liyanage Samantha Perera, said that when Premachandra fell down, Mr. Duminda Silva shot him shouting,
“Wedithiyapan, wedithiyapan”. The witness in his evidence said that during their tour of the Kolonnawa and Kotikawatte–Mulleriya Electorates they were joined by another car near the Kalu Palama at Kotuwila after which they drove towards Salmal Uyana via Galwana. On their return journey from Salmal Uyana at Rubber Mill Junction in Mulleriyawa, Prasanna Gunasingha Solanga Arachchi of the Kotikawatte Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha called Premachandra over the phone and told him that his supporters were assaulted by Duminda Silva and his people at Rajasinghe Vidyalaya in Kotikawatte.
Later Premachandra’s vehicle that was driven towards the Walpola Junction was obstructed by Duminda’s convoy of vehicles. The witness said there were around 100 people and that there were persons carrying T56 assault rifles among them. One of them was a police officer attached to the Mirihana Police who was in civvies. The witness said he could identify him. He went on to say that Duminda and Premachandra had alighted from their vehicles and had begun an argument but that he did not see Premachandra carrying a side fire arm. The witness also said that he saw Duminda and Premachandra exchanging slaps. At that time a tall person in a beard carrying a T56 rifle assaulted Premachandra who fell to the ground. It was then that Duminda Silva shot Premachandra. Shouting, “Wedithiyapan, wedithiyapan.” (T.Farook Thajudeen)
DM
