December 10, 2009: The investigation into the assassination of veteran journalist Lasantha Wickremathunga has been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
The Mirihana police informed court today that this was done under the instructions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).Police informed court in this regard when the case was taken up for consideration before Mount Lavinia chief magistrate and additional district judge Harsha Sethunga.
Accordingly, the chief magistrate ordered the CID to appear before court on the 24th of this month.
The suspect, who had stolen the mobile phone of Lasantha Wicremathunga at the time he was assassinated, was also produced in court today.
The court ordered the suspect to be placed under remand custody until the 4th of this month.
The veteran journalist was assassinated on the 8th of January, 2009 near the Malagalage Junior College in Attidiya.