Tangalle PS Chairman arrested
Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandra Pushpa Vidanapathirana was arrested in Kotte, last night by a special CID team in connection with the murder case of the British national Khuram Shaikh, police said.
They said that the suspect was hiding in a house at the time of the arrest.
On January 9, the Colombo High Court issued an arrest warrant against Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandra Pushpa Vidanapathirana for not appearing in courts for the trial into the alleged murder of British tourist Khuram Shaikh and harassment of the victim’s Russian girl friend at a Tangalle holiday resort in December 2011.
When the matter was taken up for inquiry Counsel Shabdika Wellapuli informed court that those who stood surety for the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman were present in court and they had informed that the accused was admitted to a private hospital in Galle on Wednesday evening after falling ill.
However Judge Kumudini Wickramasinghe issued a warrant for the arrest of the accused and ordered the sureties to produce the medical certificate in court on January 22.
(Courtesy: DM Online)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Navy ship P628 begins historic 14,775 nautical mile voyage to Sri Lanka February 23, 2026
- Sri Lanka Police arrest suspects in major fraud case impersonating officers February 23, 2026
- Oxford Union cancels Namal Rajapaksa speech after student opposition February 23, 2026
- 100,000 Litro gas cylinders to be released today to ease shortages in Sri Lanka February 23, 2026
- Sri Lanka to grant pension rights to public servants recruited since 2016 February 22, 2026
It is pathetic. This will only be seen as (and probably is) done because of the next UNHRC meeting in March. This only increase the pressure and criticisms, and face it and bear it because of all those are own making. This killer (alleged) should have been arrested and produced before the court years ago.
Anyway, the accused was arrested at last. Justice has to prevail and seen to be done. There are other such cases which cry out for justice but is obstructed due to thwarting by powerful politicians with no conscience. Hirunika’s father’s murder is one such case.
Yes, it looks very much like David Cameron gave a good kick on the A— and an ultimatum, nothing much moved.