The body of former Havelock's SC captain and Sri Lankan ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen was exhumed at the Muslim burial grounds in Dehiwela this morning.
Tight security was in place and the media was not permitted to be at the site of the grave.
The remains of the former Sri Lankan ruggerite and Havelock's SC Captain Wasim Thajudeen will be exhumed today in the presence of a panel of JMOs including the Colombo Chief JMO.
The Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris, on August 6, allowed for the exhumation to take place today, following a request by the CID.
Thajudeen died in 2012, in what was then described to be an accident. However, the CID recently reported to the magistrate that the death was no accident. Several political leaders have pointed the finger towards the Rajapaksa family for the alleged murder of Thajudeen. However, both former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his eldest son Namal Rajapaksa vehemently denied any involvement of the family in the incident.
Three years after Wassim Thajudeen's death, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa confirmed that the Rugy player's death was a "killing".
Rajapaksa, addressing a press conference at Jaic Hilton Hotel in Colombo this morning, said he would probe the killing of ruggerite Wassim Thajudeen if his party was elected to office at the general election.
"There should be an investigation. I am not disputing that, But this is a serious allegation - a murder. When we go through the reports we can see what has happened.The police should conduct a fair inquiry. In a future government under our leadership, we too will conduct an investigation," the former president said.
However, he raised suspicions over the timeline of the investigations. He said the new government started investigations into the murder just a few weeks ahead of the election.
Moreover, when contacted by Asian Mirror, a senior officer of the Police Department said fresh investigations into Thajudeen's death started in February.
He said the Criminal Investigations Department carried out inquiries for nearly four months and investigated into every aspect of the case.
Wasim Thajudeen died in 2012 in what was described as an accident. However, the CID recently told the Colombo Fort Magistrate that the death is no accident. Considering a request by the CID, the Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris gave permission recently to exhume Thajudeen's remains. The exhumation is scheduled for tomorrow.
Several political leaders have accused the Rajapaksa family of being involved in the alleged murder of Thajudeen. However, speaking to the BBC Sandeshaya recently, Namal Rajapaksa, elder son of Mahinda Rajapaksa, refuted these allegations. "We were family friends" Rajapaksa said.
Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Rajitha Senaratne added a new twist to the mystery surrounding former Havelock's Captain Wasim Thajudeen's death, by claiming that three President's Security Division personnel were involved in the alleged murder.
He made this observation during the Cabinet press briefing yesterday.
Wasim Thajudeen, a former Captain of Havelock’s SC and a national rugger player, died in 2012 in what was then described as an accident. However, the CID recently informed courts that his death did not occur due to an accident.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris yesterday allowed the exhumation of the remains of Thajudeen's body. The exhumation will take place on August 10.