Nuwara Eliya High Court Hands Down Death Penalty in Four Separate Murder Trials

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Nuwara Eliya High Court today sentenced four individuals to death in connection with four separate murder cases.

The verdicts were delivered by High Court Judge Wijeraj Jayasuriya following the conclusion of trials related to incidents spanning nearly two decades.

Police confirmed that one of the convicted individuals attempted to take his own life shortly after the death sentence was pronounced. The suspect, who had been in the custody of prison officials, reportedly consumed poison inside a cell washroom shortly after being remanded. He was immediately rushed under heavy security to the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital for emergency treatment.

Among those sentenced was a 52-year-old man from the Udupussellawa area, who was found guilty of murdering his wife in 2015. Following the court’s decision, the man ingested poison within his holding cell.

In another case, a 75-year-old man was handed the death penalty in connection with a murder committed in 2010.

A 51-year-old resident of Kenilworth Estate in Ginigathhena was also sentenced to death for a murder carried out in 2000, while another 56-year-old man from Theripaha in Walapane saw his death sentence upheld following an appeal process.

The fourth case dates back to 1997, with the accused having previously received a death sentence. His appeal to the Supreme Court had been dismissed, leading to the confirmation of his punishment by the High Court today.