Five suspects acquitted in Raviraj murder

All five suspects accused in the murder of former Tamil National Alliance Jaffna district Parliamentarian Nadaraja Raviraj were acquitted and released by the Colombo High Court last night. Among those freed were Navy intelligence officers and the unanimous decision was reached by the jury after a one month long trial. Raviraj was shot dead near his residence at Manning Town in Narahenpita in November 2006 when he was driving his vehicle along Matha Road. The CID recovered vehicle and a weapon alleged to have been used in the killing. Senior Deputy Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysooriya with Senior State Counsel Suharshi Herath appeared for the Attorney General. Senior Counsel Anuja Premaratne with Rasika Balasuriya, Yuran Liyanage appeared for the accused, while Counsel K.V. Thavarasa appeared for the aggrieved party. Counsel Darshana Ranmuthuge appeared for the State Witness.