Duminda Silva appeal dismissed by Supreme court

COLOMBO (News 1st) -  An appeal filed by Former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva and three others, was dismissed by a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court today. Duminda Silva and three other accused filed an appeal against the death penalty imposed by the High Court after they were found guilty for the indictments filed over the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and three others. The 01st accused, Police Constable Anura Thushara De Mel was acquitted of all charges by the bench comprising of Chief Justice Priyasad Dep, Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Nalin Perera, Priyantha Jayawardena and Vijith Malalgoda. Thereby the Supreme Court reaffirmed the death penalty imposed on Duminda Silva, Srinayake Pathiranage, Chaminda Ravi Jayanath alias Dematagoda Chaminda and Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Sarath Bandara. The Attorney General filed 17 indictments against 13 defendants for the murders of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, Damitha Darshana Jayathilake, Jalaldeen Mohamed Azeem and Manuel Kumaraswamy on the 08th of October 2011 on the day of the Local Government Elections in Himbutana , Angoda. Following an extensive trial, high court judges Padmini M Ranawaka and M.T.B.S Moraes sentenced the defendants to death. The verdict was divided when the president of the trial at bar, Judge Shiran Gunaratne delivered his judgment acquitting all 13 defendants from all charges filed against them. On the 08th of September 2016 Justice Padmini Ranawaka with the consent of Justice M.T.B.S Moraes acquitted 08 of the 13 defendants from all charges.