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Politician re-arrested for murder of British tourist

Sri Lankan politician Sampath Vidanapathirana has been re-arrested by police over the murder of British aid worker Khuram Shaikh, after he went into hiding two weeks ago.

Vidanapathirana, who is the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, was found hiding in a house in Kotte, after an arrest warrant was issued following the suspect breaking his bail conditions.

The suspect, who is reported to be a close associate of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested alongside 5 others for the 2011 Christmas Day killing and rape of Shaikh’s Russian girlfriend, Victoria Alexandrovna. However after Vidanapathirana’s arrest, he was soon released on bail and reinstated to his political post.

The murder, and the subsequent lack of prosecution, has led to involvement from British MPs, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Charles, all of whom have called for justice for the killing.

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