Duminda returns and remanded

Duminda Silva, UPFA Member of Parliament and suspect in the murder of SLFP strongman Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department after he returned to Sri Lanka early yesterday. 

Silva travelled from Singapore to Colombo on Emirates flight EK349 and landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport at 1:40 a.m. yesterday. He was admitted to Nawaloka Hospital for treatment upon his arrival. The CID arrested Silva around 10 a.m. yesterday and he continues to remain in hospital under Police security.  Silva has been remanded until 14 March when the case is to be taken up at the Colombo Magistrate Court.

Duminda Silva has been receiving medical treatment in Singapore after suffering injuries in the shootout that killed Premachandra on the day of the Colombo local government elections in October 2011.  The Attorney General’s Department recently instructed the CID to file charges against Silva and 12 other suspects in the Premachandra murder case.