Dumminda Silva's Appeal Court verdict: Death Penalty confirmed!

Dumminda Silva's Appeal Court verdict: Death Penalty confirmed!

The supreme court today (11) decided on confirming the the death penalty imposed on former parliamentarian Dumminda Silva. As such, the appeal he forwarded was thus rejected.

An appeal was filed sometime back to release former MP Dumminda Silva and five others convicted and imprisoned with death penalty being imposed on them  according to the court order of 8th September, 2015 for having killed Mr. Bharatha Lakshman including four others as not guilty. This

particular petition was heard during the past few months and the verdict  was pronounced today (11) by supreme court and as a consequence instead of the death sentence they would have to undergo imprisonment right throughout their lifetime. Therefore, supreme court affirmed death penalty on 11th accused R. Duminda Silva, 3rd accused Dematagoda Chaminda and 7th accused Sarath Bandara while the first accused, police constable Mr. Anura Thushara de Mel was set free from being punished. This judgement was pronounced by chief justice Priyasad Dep, judge Buvaneka Aluvihare, judge Priyantha Jayawardena, judge Nalin Perera and judge Vijith Malalgoda at trial-at-bar.

Member of parliament Duminda Silva who was a suspect in committing the murder of Mr. Bharatha Lakshman by shooting him down on October 8th, 2011 sustained serious injuries during the course of the incident had subsequently  gone to Singapore for further treatment, it was reported and he had arrived in the island after a lengthy period of 2 years in March, 2013 after spending time in Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Later on he had given a statement to court that his memory on this incident 'was erased from his mind' and had on a number of instances got himself admitted to hospital.

A case was filed by Criminal Investigation Department against Duminda Silva and crowd under charges of committing murder, conspiring and unlawful assembly. 5 persons including Duminda Silva were imposed death sentence on 8th September, 2015.