The attention of the Government of Sri Lanka has been drawn to the media interviews given by Mr. Simon Danczuk, UK MP for Rochdale during his recent visit to Sri Lanka to make inquiries about the progress in the legal proceedings relating to the death of Mr. Khuram Shaikh, a UK national which took place on 25 December 2011 in Tangalle.
The Government of Sri Lanka condemned the incident strongly following the death and conveyed its commitment to prosecute the persons responsible. After the conclusion of initial police investigations, the suspects connected with murder of Mr. Shaikh were produced before the Magistrate of Tangalle and were remanded and they subsequently were released on bail. The Government has made every endeavour to initiate the criminal proceedings. A special prosecutor has been nominated by the Attorney General to conduct the prosecution under the guidance of the Addl. Solicitor General who heads the Criminal Division of the Attorney General’s Department.
In order to expedite proceedings, a decision has also been taken by the Attorney General to forward a direct indictment to the High Court, without the non summary inquiry, which is now possible pursuant to a law passed this year. The Criminal Investigations Department has concluded their investigations and submitted their report to the Attorney General’s Department. The Government Analyst’s report relating to the DNA evidence is awaited and all arrangements have been made to commence proceedings upon receipt of the same. The Attorney General’s Department is closely monitoring the progress of the Government Analyst in this regard.
During the recent visit of Mr. Simon Danczuk, MP to Colombo along with Mr. Naseer Shaikh (brother of later Mr. Khuram Shaikh), the Government facilitated meetings in spite of the short notice and the busy schedules of policy makers and senior officials to brief on the progress made in the case and to listen to the concerns of the delegation. As the case is currently before Court and matter is subjudice, meetings with the visiting delegation could only be facilitated to that extent.
Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo
15 March 2013
