Ratnapura High Court Judge Achala Wengappuli yesterday (12) ordered to acquit and release three persons accused in the Nalanda Ellawala murder case.The court also postponed the ruling on the case's first accused - Susantha Punchinilame, to December 18.
The persons acquitted and released were the case's 3rd, 4th and 5th accused - namely Kodikaraarachchige Punyapaala, Sisira Kumara Weerasekara and Wickramasingha Perera.
Susantha Punchinilame, former minister I.K. Mahinda Rathnatillaka, Kodikaraarachchige Punyapaala, Sisira Kumara Weerasekara, Wickramasingha Perera and K.A. Upali were indicted on the charges of gunning down MP Nalanda Sampath Ellawala and constable TM Jayasena on 11 February 1997 in Kuruwita. ( Srilanka Mirror News)