Indictment to avoid British accusations

Attorney General Palith Perera is to submit indictment papers against six suspects including Tangalle PS member Sampath Chandra Pushpa Pathirana, who are accused of murdering British tourist Khuram Shaikh and raping his girlfriend.

After initial legal procedures with regard to the murder and rape were taken up in Tangalle Court, the case was transferred to the Colombo Magistrate Court. Also a direct indictment is to be forwarded to the High Court, without a non summary inquiry. According to embassy sources, British authorities have pledged to take up the issue of the murder after arriving at the island for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM).

The lack of justice delivered for the murder case has also created a negative impact on the CHOGM.

Several days earlier, it was reported that UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said he would personally raise concerns with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa over the murder. According to embassy sources, UK's prince Charles too, has offered to help in the effort to win justice on the murder case.

British national Khuram Shaikh who was an employee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was brutally shot dead at a hotel in Tangalle on the Christmas Eve in 2011 and his girlfriend had to receive treatment from hospital due to sexual harassment . Chairman of Tangalle Local Council Sampath Chandra Pushpa was named chief suspect of the incident. ( News  by  Srilankamirror.lk )