12 sentenced to death in Sri Lanka over 2022 murder of MP
The Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar in Sri Lanka on Wednesday sentenced 12 individuals to death after finding them guilty over the 2022 murder of Amarakeerthi Athukorala.
Mr Athukorala was a member of parliament and was murdered alongside his security officer.
The ruling followed an extended trial in which a total of 42 people were indicted in connection with the killings.
In addition to the death sentences, the court imposed six-month prison terms and suspension for five years, on four other individuals. Another 23 accused were acquitted by the court.
The charges stem from events that unfolded during the nationwide unrest on May 2022.
According to reports, the parliamentarian and his security officer had opened fire at an angry mob of protesters and critically injured two people while they were blocking his vehicle.
The MP and his security were later found murdered later that day inside a nearby building.
(Xinhua/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Lightning strike kills six people in Adamawa
The police command in Adamawa has confirmed the death of six people following a lightning strike in the Ganye council.
States
Cross River govt exempts women, elderly drivers from vehicle registration, levies
The Cross River government has exempted women in commercial transport and men aged 60 and above from paying vehicle registration and daily operational levies.
Politics
INEC says Osun residents’ PVCs ready for collection ahead of governorship poll
INEC has announced that PVCs of eligible voters who registered or updated their records during the recent CVR exercise in the state are ready for collection.
Sport
13-year-old boy killed as Spaniards celebrate 2026 World Cup win
A 13-year-old boy was killed after the Árbol Gordo fountain collapsed as football fans gathered to celebrate the country’s World Cup win.
States
Gas tanker leak contained in Kaduna: KADSEMA
The executive secretary of KADSEMA, Usman Mazadu, said the agency has contained a compressed gas tanker leak in Kaduna South.
World
Iran War: Three U.S. servicemen killed
Another American service member has been reported killed by fragments of a downed Iranian drone in northern Iraq, raising the number of U.S. troops killed last week to three.
