Key witness in Thajudeen death intimidated-DailyNews

Key witness in Thajudeen death intimidated Chaminda Perera Wasim Thajudeen The Attorney General's Department yesterday informed court that a key witness in the rugger player Wasim Thajudeen death has been intimidated. State Counsel Dilan Ratnayake appearing on behalf of the Attorney General yesterday informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris that a key witness in the Thajudeen death has been intimidated and the Criminal Investigation Department has launched a probe.The State Counsel also informed court that a mobile phone used by Thajudeen has been found and the investigators believe that it contained vital information. The Additional Magistrate ordered the head of the Colombo University School of Computing to submit an analysis report on the mobile phone. The State Counsel who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General and the aggrieved party condemned the recent statement made by former Chief Judicial Medical Officer, Prof. Ananda Samarasekara on the present JMO who is conducting the judicial inquiry into the death. He said the former JMO who held a responsible position in the government should not have made such a statement. The Magistrate told the lawyers that the court should be informed through the CID, if a statement made by former JMO hampers the investigations into Thajudeen's death. The Additional Magistrate rejected the request made by State Counsel Dilan Ratnayake to keep the case records in safe custody. The Magistrate cited that he is not in a position to issue an order to keep the case records in safe custody as right to information has to be ensured. The Magistrate also made a special request from the journalists covering the Thajudeen's case to comply with media ethics. 'Death due to unconsciousness, carbon monoxide inhalation' Former Judicial Medical Officer Prof. Ananda Samarasekera filing his final autopsy report over the death of rugger player Wasim Thajudeen told court that Thajudeen's death was due to unconsciousness and the inhalation of carbon monoxide. Professor Samarasekera in his report said they believe Thajudeen died by inhaling Carbon Monoxide, disability of his limbs and unconsciousness. The report added that the rugger captain had been breathing his last when the fire erupted. The former JMO noted that the victim may have consumed alcohol two hours before the incident as a heavy concentration of ethanol was detected in his blood. Professor Samarasekera in his report said a person who consumed such a large quantity of alcohol can drive a vehicle though he is not in his normal senses. The injuries on Thajudeen's head may have been caused by a blow using a blunt weapon The former JMO said Thajudeen may have been dragged out of the vehicle by a person. He believed that his internal organs may have got badly damaged due to being assaulted. Professor Samarasekera also stated that the injuries on the chest could have been caused by a circular object pushed against the chest. However, the former JMO said these injuries were not fatal. Court ordered Colombo Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ajith Tennakoon and his team who conducted the second judicial inquiry into the death to appear before court on September 22.