VIOLENT CULTURE: NEVER CHANGE!!!

Johnpulle Probe: Monk’s evidence to expedite case

By Upali Ananada
An Anuradhapura Court yesterday ordered that the statements of two witnesses be made available to the police so that they could expedite inquires into the attack on the residence and dispensary of UNP district organizer Dr. Raja Johnpulle on August 20. Dr. Johnpulle was killed later in a suicide bomb attack.

Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Ruchira Weliwatte ordered the registrar to make available to police the statement made by a monk from the Mihintale Vihara, the Ven. Walahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, and another witness K.A. Swarna Kumara.

The court also ordered SSP Ranjith Kumara to submit a report on the progress of the inquiries by November 17.

The damage caused to Dr. Johnpulle’s residence and dispensary, during the North Central Provincial Council election campaign, was estimated to be Rs.50 million.

The Chief Magistrate observed that this was a serious incident that sent shockwaves across the country, with most witnesses reluctant to give evidence.

Later the monk and Swarna Kumara had volunteered to give evidence.

“A mob led by UPFA chief ministerial candidate Berty Premalal Dissanayke and Minister Duminda Dissanayake caused damage and set fire to Dr. Johnpulle’s property. Another person Kitsiri Ganganath Dissanayake, posing as a presidential co-ordinating secretary, was encouraging the mob. Amid these unruly incidents, DIG N.C.P. Pathirana, SP Samarakoon and the HQI Sarath Prema were passively looking on,” the monk had said in his evidence. The monk said that on August 20, at about 4.00 p.m., he had received a telephone call saying that Dr. Johnpulle’s house was being attacked.

He had immediately proceeded to the place in his motor car and when near had found the police had barricaded the roadway leading to Dr. Johnpulle’s house.

Despite objections by police, the Thera said, he had managed to proceed towards the residence of Dr. Johnpulle who was his personal physician.

At first he saw a mob of some 50 to 60 thugs gathered in front of the doctor’s house and about 100 uniformed policemen standing by.

The monk said that when he went closer Pradeshiya Sabha candidate Chamal Dissanayake and a few others had forcibly opened all four doors of his car. A former Pradeshiya Sabha member Ranjith Medis, Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha Member Anil Pushpadasa, Mangala who lived near Mihindu Aranya and the notorious drug dealer ‘Ukkun’ were also among the crowd.

The witness said the crowd had hooted at him and he saw the fire-brigade and the riot squad were also present.

Dr. Johnpulle and his wife were later killed in a suicide bomb attack in which the UNP chief ministerial candidate Janaka Perera and his wife also died.
courtesy:dailymirror.lk