Feb 01, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Public Affairs and Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva's Parliamentary Affairs Secretary, who has been accused of murdering Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha member Hasitha Madawala, has requested to make a confidential statement before the Mahara Magistrate.

The Minister's Secretary, Sarath Edirisinghe alias Singapore Sarath and the fifth suspect in the murder, Saman Nishaman, a coordinating secretary of the Minister, have requested to make a confidential statement on camera before the magistrate.

Mahara Magistrate Sahan Mapa Bandara has permitted the two suspects to make confidential statements.

The 32-year-old Local Councilor, who campaigned against the Minister over the alleged corruption and irregularities taking place in the Kelaniya electorate, was gunned down on January 05 near his residence in Waragoda, Kelaniya by two of the suspects came on a motorcycle.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) while giving a progress report on the investigation had said the inquiry was ongoing and statements were being recorded.

The magistrate has ordered the suspects to be remanded till February 14th.