Death Sentence for Couple Who Killed Two-Year-Old Adopted Son

A Shocking Verdict

A Colombo High Court Judge, Sujeewa Nishshanka, sentenced a married couple to death on March 6, 2024, after finding them guilty of brutally torturing and murdering their two-year-old adopted son. The harrowing case, which took place seven years ago, has drawn significant public attention.

Horrifying Abuse and Murder

The court found that the child had suffered approximately 90 injuries across his body, caused by severe beatings and burn wounds. The authorities arrested the couple when they were attempting to bury the child’s body without conducting a post-mortem examination. The case, which unfolded in the Maligawatta area, was thoroughly investigated, and the Attorney General’s department successfully proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Death Sentence Pronounced

Judge Nishshanka ruled that the convicted couple—Mohammed Ali Mohammed Usman and Mohammed Faheem Fathima Siyana—should be hanged at Welikada Prison at a date and time determined by the President. This sentence underscores the severity of their crime and the cruelty inflicted on the young victim.

The prosecution revealed that on or around May 11, 2018, the couple subjected their adopted son to extreme physical abuse, ultimately leading to his death. The child, who had been in their care because they did not have a biological son, was systematically tortured over a long period.

Police investigations began after a tip-off regarding an attempt to secretly bury the child without an official inquest. Upon questioning, inconsistencies in the couple’s statements raised suspicion, prompting further legal action. A post-mortem examination conducted by the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer confirmed extensive injuries, including burns and internal damage.

Expert Testimony and Final Judgment

Medical experts testified that the child had been subjected to prolonged and deliberate abuse. Evidence indicated severe injuries across his body, including extensive burns and blunt force trauma. Additionally, medical examinations revealed that even the child’s testicles had suffered significant damage.

The court also noted that despite the child’s deteriorating health, the couple chose to take him to a private doctor in Grandpass instead of admitting him to the Colombo Children’s Hospital. This deliberate action further aroused suspicion and contributed to the prosecution’s case.

Final Ruling and Execution Order

After reviewing all evidence, the judge ruled that the couple was solely responsible for the child’s suffering and death. The defence failed to provide any credible counterarguments, and their claims of innocence were dismissed. The judge emphasized that the evidence presented proved their guilt beyond any reasonable doubt.

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