Duminda, Chaminda to Pallekele .... others to Welikada

Duminda, Chaminda to Pallekele .... others to Welikada

Of the 5 defendants who were conferred capital punishment yesterday for being responsible for the murder of Mr. Bharatha Premachandra 3 of them were sent to Welikada while 2 are expected to be transferred to Pallekelle (previously Bogambara) Prison by prison officials as a precautionary safety measure, it is reported. Those two are former Member of Parliament Duminda Silva and Chaminda Ravi Jayanath (Dematagoda Chaminda).

It has been understood that on the presumption that the two of them may be subjected to harassment by underworld elements who are detained in Welikada Prison it has been decided to have them thus transferred to this new location. This transfer is to be definitely effected during the course of the day (9th). Till such time, measures to this effect have been taken yesterday (8th) to separate those 5 prisoners from others who have already been sentenced to death. In connection with this when asked from the media spokesman of the prison, Mr. Thushara Upuldeniya what he said was that those 5 prisoners have been stationed separately in Chapel Ward at Welikada Prison according to the decision so taken yesterday (8th).