SC upholds death sentence for ex-top cop Vass Gunawardena

Saturday, 21 December 2024 01:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo High Court yesterday announced that the Supreme Court has upheld its previous verdict sentencing five defendants, including former DIG Vass Gunawardena, to death in the 2013 kidnapping and murder of businessman Mohamed Shiyam.

The Colombo High Court announced this decision after former DIG Vass Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Gunawardena, and three police officers were produced before the court by prison officials yesterday.

Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige informed the defendants that the Supreme Court had rejected their appeal in this case and upheld the death sentence.

Counsel Rahul Jayathilake, appearing for the accused, informed the court that the Supreme Court had not specified a date for the effective date of the sentence pronounced by the High Court in November 2015.

Pointing out that the date of the sentence was very important, he requested the court to issue an order in this regard as it was not mentioned in the Supreme Court order.

Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige responded by stating that he could not do so as only the Supreme Court had the authority to issue the requested order.

The accused, including former Deputy Inspector General of Police Vass Gunawardena, were convicted and sentenced to death for the kidnapping and murder of Colombo-area businessman Mohamed Shiyam in May 2013 on a murder for hire contract worth $ 50,000.

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