Twelve individuals found guilty of murdering former Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his police security officer during the unrest of May 2022 have been sentenced to death by the Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar. The sentences were delivered today following the conclusion of a lengthy legal process.
In addition, four other accused were handed six-month prison terms suspended for five years, while 23 individuals were acquitted of all charges due to insufficient evidence. The verdict was announced after the court had previously deferred its decision on 14 January.
Athukorala and his police security officer were killed in the Nittambuwa area on 9 May 2022 amid widespread nationwide unrest. The incident followed a shooting in the area that left several people injured and hospitalized, with one critically injured individual later succumbing to his injuries.
Court proceedings heard that the MP and his security officer had opened fire at a group blocking their vehicle before later taking refuge in a nearby building, where they were subsequently killed. CCTV footage presented during the trial showed the pair fleeing the scene prior to the fatal attack.
Following extensive investigations and multiple arrests, the Attorney General filed indictments against 42 individuals, leading to the Trial-at-Bar proceedings and the final verdict delivered by the Gampaha High Court.
