Calls for testimony from lawyers regarding Kapila's death

Summons have been issued for two lawyers of Mr. Kapila Chandrasena, former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, to appear before the court to give evidence regarding his mysterious death. Accordingly, Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara issued an order yesterday (02) for President's Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne and junior counsel Udara Mohandiram to appear in court on the 5th.

Mr. Kapila Chandrasena was found having committed suicide by hanging in a room at the residence of veteran cricketer Mr. Aravinda de Silva, located on Pedris Road, Kollupitiya. This decision was announced when the magisterial inquiry into the incident was called. The Magistrate stated that no criminal offense related to this death has been revealed so far and clarified that evidence is being summoned from the lawyers to inquire into the problematic situations that have arisen regarding bail.

The Magistrate, pointing out the possibility of summoning lawyers to court to give evidence, also emphasized that those lawyers have the full right to protect the professional confidentiality of the instructions given and facts revealed by their clients. Announcing his nine-page order, he further stated that these summons are being issued according to Section 370/5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979. Here, Mr. Lakshan Abeywardena, representing the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, also appeared before the court to protect the rights of the witness lawyers.

Meanwhile, the Colombo Crimes Division also submitted a further report to the court regarding the incident. The police informed the court that during investigations conducted based on the instructions given by the Government Analyst after the belt used by the deceased for hanging was referred to him, another similar belt was found under the bed in the deceased's bedroom. Furthermore, it was revealed that steps are being taken through the Ministry of Justice to send the deceased's locked Apple mobile phone to Apple Inc. in America via the FBI to unlock it. The Colombo Crimes Division also stated that although CCTV cameras around the relevant house were examined, no suspicious person has been identified so far.

After considering all the facts presented, the Fort Magistrate granted permission to refer the newly found belt to the Government Analyst as an exhibit. It was also ordered that the evidence hearing related to this incident commence on the 5th.