News
Suspect sold slain Thera’s vehicles for Rs 20 million
Murder of Medagamuwe Mahanama Thera
By Hemantha Randunu
The monk who was arrested for murdering the chief incumbent of the Nandanarama Temple, Wettewa, has confessed on Thursday that he sold the chief incumbent’s vehicles and wanted to go to Dubai to live with his girlfriend.The victim, Medagamuwe Mahanama Thera, had a Defender Jeep and a car. The two vehicles was sold for 20 million rupees. The Defender Jeep had been sold for 13.5 million. The WagonR was sold for 6.5 million rupees.
The suspect had said that it was his girlfriend who had asked him to kill Mahanama Thera, sell his assets and send the money to Dubai. The mother and father of the suspect’s girlfriend are missing, the police say. The suspect is 19-years-old. The suspect was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Wednesday night. He was trying to travel to Dubai.
Seeduwa Police said that the suspect had continuously asked the victims to transfer the ownership of the vehicles to him. Two complaints have also been lodged at the Seeduwa Police. The suspect’s girlfriend was also involved with a businessman, who had helped her travel to Dubai.
Police have also found that the suspect purchased air tickets to Dubai prior to the murder. The mother and father of the suspect’s girlfriend had come to the temple to kill Mahanama Thera on 12 September. The three entered Mahanama Thera’s room, assaulted him and then strangled him.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
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