Scot detectives return after sharing expertise with Lankan sleuths

Colombo, Jan 13 (UNI) A team of Scotland Yard detectives, which arrived here early this month to assist the investigation into the assassination of top Tamil politician and Jaffna district Parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj in November last year, left Sri Lanka today after sharing their expertise with the sleuths conducting the probe.

''The team shared their experience and specialised expertise, including forensic and telephone analysis, with the Sri Lankan authorities,'' a statement from the British Embassy said.

A five-member British Police team had visited Sri Lanka on January 4 in response to President Mahinda Rajapaksa's request to help in the murder case probe, amidst widespread international condemnation.

While the British Police team had no remit to carry out an investigation in Colombo at the Sri Lankan authorities' request, they would take a number of exhibits to the UK for further forensic tests, the results of which would be passed to the Sri Lankan investigating team, the statement said.

''We are grateful for the close co-operation we enjoyed in working with the CID and other Sri Lankan authorities. We hope our assistance will help the Sri Lankan Police to identify and bring to justice those responsible for this dreadful crime,'' the British Police team was quoted as saying.

N Raviraj (44), a pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian, and his bodyguard were shot dead by unknown gunmen in the heart of Colombo city while he was travelling in a jeep from his residence in Elvitigala Mawatha on November 10 last year.

UNI