A former Sri Lankan MP and four others were yesterday sentenced to death by the High Court here after being found guilty in the murder of an ex-MP and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s advisor
Colombo: A former Sri Lankan MP and four others were yesterday sentenced to death by the High Court here after being found guilty in the murder of an ex-MP and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s advisor.
Seven others were acquitted during the trial, which began in 2012. The accused were charged of murdering Bharatha Laxman Premachandra in October 2011 ahead of the elections. Duminda Silva and Premachandra had exchanged blows and Premachandra was subsequently gunned down.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rajapaksa government was accused of covering up and protecting Silva who was closed to him and his brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, a top civil servant in the defence ministry at that time. The murder soon became a political issue in the presidential election of January 2015 when Rajapaksa was defeated.
Premachandra’s daughter Hirunika seeking justice for her father’s murder backed the current President Siris-ena against Rajapaksa. She is now a parliamentarian in the current unity government.
A 3-member bench was divided 2-1 on the ruling.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
