Speedy jury trial for alleged killer of President’s brother

The Polonnaruwa High Court will hold a jury trial between November 20 and 30 to hear the case against the main suspect in the murder of Priyantha Sirisena, the brother of President Maithripala Sirisena. The suspect, Don Ishara Lakmal Saputhanthri (34), who appeared before Polonnaruwa High Court Judge Nimal Ranaweera, has pleaded not guilty to the crime.

Priyantha Sirisena who was also known as “Weli Raju,” was attacked with an axe and died of his injuries in March 2015. The Judge ordered that the case be heard from November 20 to 30 continuously and concluded within the set dates. Among the witnesses is Dudley Sirisena, another sibling of the President.
State Counsel Krishan de Alwis Gunatillake and Senior State Counsel Madhawa Tennakoon will appear for the prosecution while attorney Ashok Weerasuriya will appear for the defence.