Kalutara High Court Judge Pradeep Abeyratne yesterday (10) convicted three accused for beating a person with clubs 31 years ago and sentenced them to death. The judge also sentenced another accused to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
It was heard in the court that Dhanapala Fernando, who was a resident of Meegamawatta Colony, 5th Mile Post, was beaten to death on or around January 15, 1992, in Keeranthidiya, Navuttuduwa.The defendants, Malmutuge Dayaratne alias Oliver, a resident of Pallegoda, Walagedara, Anagipura Ariyaratne alias Lokka, a resident of Keeranthidiya, Navuttuduwa, and Dharmathilaka Fernando alias Premathilaka Fernando, a resident of the Kirimatiya, Fifth Mile Post were sentenced to death.
The first defendant, Anagipura Prematilaka alias Raththa, a resident of Kalawila, Beruwala, was sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.300,000 was imposed. In case of non-payment of the said compensation, another two years in prison sentence was imposed.
It was reported in court that the second accused died of cancer. After a riot between the two parties, the murder occurred and the accused were arrested by the Welipanna police in connection with the murder.
After a long trial of nearly 31 years, the verdict was announced. A group of relatives of the defendants gathered in front of the Kalutara court by the time the verdict was delivered.
Sumith Prematilake