DNA delays over Sri Lanka murder

5 July 2013 Last updated at 15:05 ET

Problems with DNA evidence have delayed the prosecution of suspects over the murder of a Red Cross worker in Sri Lanka in 2011, British officials said.

Khuram Shaikh, 32, from Milnrow, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was shot and stabbed on Christmas Day 2011.

Eight people, including a Sri Lankan politician, were arrested and bailed in November. They all denied the charges.

The British High Commission in Colombo said the 18-month delay was "not a good message to tourists".

The Sri Lanka High Commission said the "Government Analyst's report relating to DNA evidence is awaited and all arrangements have been made to commence proceedings upon receipt of the same".

Robbie Bulloch, Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, said: "What we have been told is that they have been waiting for DNA evidence and that has been holding it up.

"Why that should take 18 months to process I don't know, but what we have done from the very beginning is urge the government to take this very seriously.

"It's a brutal attack, it's not a good message for a country which attracts very many British tourists each year."

Mr Shaikh, who graduated from Salford University, had been working in Gaza for the Red Cross, fitting prosthetics limbs.

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DNA delays over Sri Lanka murder