Death penalty for 3 murderers at the funeral

Yesterday (13), the Kalutara High Court sentenced three defendants to death who were accused in connection with the murder of a person by stabbing with a sharp weapon at a funeral home located in the Waskaduwa area. This verdict was announced by Kalutara High Court Judge Thamar Thennakoon.

Those who were sentenced to death are Suresh Kumara, Sugath Kumara (known by the alias 'Ralahami'), and Samitha Sisira Kumara (known as 'Beta'), all residents of Kudawaskaduwa, Littletonwatta area. This crime occurred on or around October 23, 2008, where Chaminda Kumara, also a resident of Kudawaskaduwa, Littletonwatta, was stabbed to death. The Attorney General had filed a case against them in court regarding this incident.

During this lengthy trial, which lasted for 18 years, the High Court judge determined that the charges brought against the defendants had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt by the facts and evidence presented by the prosecution. Accordingly, all three defendants were found guilty of the said murder and were thus sentenced to death. Senior Attorney Kanishka Wanniarachchi appeared for the defense during the trial, while Government Attorneys appeared for the prosecution, and Sergeant Manoj Nishan (5778) represented the police before the court.