Acquittal and Release Order for Defendant in 2006 Assassination Attempt on Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Colombo High Court Orders Acquittal and Release of Sivalingam Aruran in Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Assassination Attempt Case.

In a significant development, the Colombo High Court issued an order today, May 16, acquitting and releasing Sivalingam Aruran, a defendant in the case pertaining to the 2006 assassination attempt on former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The attempt was carried out through a suicide bombing at Pittala Junction in Kollupitiya.

Delivering the verdict, Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe emphasized that the court had found the confession provided by the defendant to the Assistant Superintendent of Police, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), to be involuntary. Consequently, the court deemed the confession inadmissible.

Judge Marasinghe further stated that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, the defendant, Sivalingam Aruran, will be acquitted and released from the case.

Moreover, the court ordered that the proceedings against Ponnasamy Karthigesu Sivaji, another individual implicated in the same case, be referred to Judge No. 01 of the Colombo High Court for further hearings.

Notably, Sivalingam Aruran, a renowned Tamil-language writer, received the esteemed award for Best Independent Tamil Novel at the 65th State Literary Awards Ceremony while serving his 16th year of detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Aruran composed his novel, titled ‘Aathurasalai,’ entirely during his time at the Welikada Prison following his arrest in 2006.

This verdict has sparked discussions about the fairness of the legal proceedings surrounding the case and highlights the complexities of dealing with cases related to terrorism and political assassinations. The acquittal and release of Sivalingam Aruran have brought attention to the importance of safeguarding the rights of the accused and ensuring a just legal system.