Court-martial on Galle port attack begins

A three member Commission recently commenced Board of inquiry, Court-Martial, against a senior Naval Officer Commd: T. M. J. Mendis.

The three member commission comprised Rear Admiral T.M.W.K.B. Tennakoon, Chairman. The other two members are Rear Admiral D.N. Dharmaweera and Commd: R. R. Wijesundera.

Commd: Mendis is charged on two counts under the Naval Act section 104 (1) of the Naval Act as amended of Act No 11 of 1993. Commd: Mendis who was in charged of the Southern Naval Area failed to take precaution and or counter measures with due care for the protection of the Naval Base, Ships, Crafts and personnel at Galle Harbour from terrorist attack despite the availability of prior reliable information on October 18, 2006 and repeated instructions from Naval Headquarters, an offence punishable under Section 104 (1) Naval Act.

He is also charged during the cause of the same transaction, the Commd; Southern Naval Area did fail to obtain approval of Commander of the Navy prior to leaving -SLNS- despite specific instructions by the Navy Commander to proceed and stay at SLNS, due to a possible terrorists attack on Galle Harbour.

Prosecution had listed 39 witnesses to give evidence on behalf of the Navy. Prosecution also had listed 19 documents to be produced before the inquiry.

Commd: Shavindra Fernando with Commd: A.M.A.W. Weerasinghe appeared for the prosecution. President's Counsel Denzil Gunaratne with Upali Senaratne and Ms. Udayangani Senevirate appeared for the Commd. Mendis.

Further proceeding's were put off for January 22, 2007.