The Colombo Fort Magistrate today questioned the absence of statements from two crucial witnesses in the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena.
The Colombo Crimes Division informed the court that no CCTV footage was recorded at the deceased’s house, despite the cameras being in operation.
The Colombo Crimes Division had previously informed the court that CCTV cameras were in operation at the house of renowned cricketer Aravinda de Silva, where the death occurred, but no footage was recorded.
These facts were presented through a further report filed by the Colombo Crimes Division before questioning at the Magistrate’s Inquiry held before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena for the third time today.
An officer from the Colombo Crimes Division said that there were two parking spaces under Aravinda de Silva’s house, and that it was possible to enter the house through them. However, investigations conducted so far have not confirmed that any outsider entered the house in that way.
The officer said that 11 unidentified pills were found at the scene of the death, and he also sought a court order to forward these 11 pills to the Government Analyst along with the deceased’s blood sample.
The officer also sought an order to forward the DVR device found at the scene of the death to the Government Analyst for investigation.
At that time, the Magistrate asked whether the CCTV footage at the deceased’s house had been examined. Responding to the question, the officer from the Colombo Crimes Division stated that although the CCTV cameras at the deceased’s house were operational, no recording had been made.
The officer further requested that both DVR devices be forwarded to the Government Analyst.
The officer also said that an engineer involved in the operation of the CCTV system has been called to give evidence today. It was further stated that two employees working in the house, the officer who installed the CCTV cameras and the nursing officer were scheduled to give evidence today.
At that time, the Magistrate questioned whether the statements of the two sureties who came to the house after obtaining bail with the deceased were recorded, and the Magistrate pointed out that they were two key witnesses involved in the incident. In response, the Colombo Crimes Division officer said that it has been difficult to record statements from them.
If the two key witnesses do not come forward to give statements, should they not definitely be called to give evidence, the Magistrate pointed out that they are more important witnesses than the other witnesses. The Magistrate said that if they do not give statements, a court order can be obtained for that.
In response, the Colombo Crimes Division officer stated that the facts would be presented through a motion.