The three judge bench of the Colombo High Court today ordered to remand former DIG Vaas Gunawardena and four other accused of the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam, for a period of further three months.

The Three-Judge Bench comprising Rohini Walgama (President), Lalith Jayasuriya and Leon Seneviratne made this order following a request made by Senior State Counsel Varunika Hettige to extend the period in remand custody for another three months.

The state counsel, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General (AG), had made this appeal after taking into consideration the seriousness of the offences committed by the accused and highlighting the possible consequences that would arise if the accused were enlarged on bail during the trial.

Former DIG Vaas Gunawardena and his son Ravindu Gunawardena, Sub Inspector Indika Bamunuge, Police Constable Gamini Sarath Chandra, PC Priyanka Sanjeewa and PC Kelum Ranga were indicted by the Attorney General for the killing of businessman Mohammed Shyam whose body was recovered from a thicket at Dompe in May last year.