Five fishermen sentenced to death for smuggling 150 kg of heroin

By T. Farook Thajudeen

Five fishermen who were arrested for trafficking 151.341 kg of heroin in November 2019 were handed death sentences on three counts by the Colombo High Court yesterday. 

Following a lengthy trial, Colombo High Court Judge Namal Balalle sentenced the suspects to death, affirming that the prosecution had convincingly established the guilt of all five accused beyond a reasonable doubt.

Accordingly, Chaminda Rohana Fernando, Anton Susantha Fernando, Dulaj Ravindra Perera, Liyanadurage Suranga, and Tharindu Jayamal Fernando residents of Kattuwa Negombo were sentenced to death by the court. 

They were sentenced to death on three counts, including conspiracy, trafficking, and possession of 151.341 kg of heroin in the southern high seas of Sri Lanka on 2 November 2019, while aboard a multi-day trawler.

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended the suspects during a maritime patrol in the southern seas off Sri Lanka. The suspects were then brought ashore and turned over, along with the contraband, to the Police Narcotic Bureau for further investigation.

After the Bureau completed its investigations, the Attorney General brought charges against the convicts in the Colombo High Court.

During the hearing, State Counsel Oswald Lakmina Perera represented the Attorney General’s Department, while Senior Counsel Jagath Abeynayake defended the first accused. Senior Counsel Ranjan Silva represented the second, fourth and fifth accused, and Counsel Pradeepa Kaluarachchi served as the defence counsel for the third accused.