The appeal filed by former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, and four police officers challenging the Colombo High Court's judgement to convict them for committing the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam, was yesterday re-fixed for arguments by the Supreme Court.
When the matter came up before the Supreme Court five-judge bench headed by Justice Sisira de Abrew, the matter was re-fixed for arguments since Justice Vijith Malalgoda, a member of the five-judge bench, was participating in a Presidential Commission appointed to inquire into the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Accordingly, the appeal was fixed for arguments on a day-to-day basis, beginning from September 18.
The Supreme Court five-judge bench comprised Justices Sisira de Abrew, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Prasanna Jayawardena, Justice Vijith Malalgoda and Justice Preethi Padman Surasena.
Former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, and four police officers were sentenced to death by a Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar Bench for committing the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam in Dompe in 2013.
The accused who were ordered to be sentenced to death were former DIG Vaas Gunawardena and his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, Sub Inspector Indika Bamunuge, Police Constable (PC) Gamini Sarath Chandra, PC Priyanka Sanjeewa and PC Kelum Ranga.
Through their appeal, the six accused-appellants said they were seeking the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to review and set aside their conviction and the death sentence imposed by the High Court.
President's Counsel Gamini Marapana with Anil Silva, PC, Anuja Premaratne, PC, Counsel Darshana Kuruppu and Counsel Asitha Vipulanayake appeared for the accused-appellants.
Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena appeared for the Attorney General.
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