2011 killing of UK national, rape of his girlfriend: 
Tangalle PS Chairman, seven others to be indicted in HC

for murder, unlawful assembly etc

 

By Shamindra Ferdinando-July 28, 2013,

Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Vidanapathirana and seven of his associates will be shortly indicted, in the High Court of Colombo, for the 2011 Christmas Eve killing of British national Khuram Shaikh (32) and rape of his partner, Victoria Aleksandrovna Tkacheva (23).

Authoritative sources told The Island yesterday that the suspects would be charged on ten counts including murder, attempted murder and unlawful assemble. The Attorney General has given the green light for non-summary proceedings against them.

Shaikh was stabbed in the throat and shot dead in the early hours of Christmas Day 2011. His girlfriend was beaten unconscious and gang raped, according to investigators.

The eight suspects are: Sampath Vidanapathirana (SLFP), his private secretary Mohottige Sarath alias Sahan, Weerappuliga Pradeep Chathuranga, S. P. Januka Chathuranga, H. T. Nuwan Chnithaka, E. T. Nadeera Shaman, Nalagama Praveen Chaturanga, Saman Deshapriya and Obada Arachchige Lahiru Kelum.

A senior security official recently briefed Deputy British High Commissioner Robbie Bulloch on the status of the ongoing investigation.

The official assured the Deputy HC of Sri Lanka’s commitment to bring the legal proceedings to a successful conclusion.

Responding to a query, sources acknowledged that there had been a delay in obtaining the DNA report, pertaining to the Tangalle murder investigation.

Amidst allegations of a cover-up, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquired into the high profile killing with the British High Commission constantly pushing the government to bring the legal proceedings to a speedy conclusion.