Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara yesterday (2) issued summons ordering President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne and his junior counsel Udara Muhandiram to appear before court on 5 June to provide evidence in the magisterial inquiry into the suspicious death of former SriLankan Airlines executive Kapila Chandrasena.
The order was issued when the magisterial inquiry into Chandrasena’s death was taken up. Chandrasena was found dead under suspicious circumstances, allegedly hanging inside a room at the Kollupitiya residence of former cricketer Aravinda de Silva on Pedris Road.
Delivering the order, the Magistrate noted that no criminal offence had so far been disclosed in relation to Chandrasena’s death and that evidence from the lawyers was being sought over issues that had arisen concerning bail arrangements.
The Magistrate further observed that lawyers could be called to testify before court, while retaining their right to protect professional privilege relating to advice provided to clients and confidential information disclosed by clients.
Attorney Lakshan Abeywardena appeared on behalf of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to represent the rights of the lawyers summoned as witnesses.
Issuing a nine-page order, Magistrate Amarasekara stated that the summons had been issued to the witnesses under Section 370(5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979.
