SL doctor who killed husband, allowed to stay in Australia

12 January 2017 03:48 pm - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lankan-born doctor Chamari Liyanage, who killed her abusive husband in Western Australia in 2014, will be allowed to stay in the country after the Department of Immigration reinstated her visa, the ABC Radio Australia reported on Thursday.

Chamari Liyanage is serving a four-year prison term after being convicted of the manslaughter of fellow doctor Dinendra Athukorala at their home in the West Australian town of Geraldton in June 2014.

She was acquitted of the more serious charge of murder and has been eligible to apply for parole since June.

Her application for parole is due to be heard next month, but there were fears that if it was granted, she would be moved into immigration detention and possibly deported because her visa was cancelled while behind bars.

However, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection has revoked its decision to cancel the visa after considering her case.

It means that if granted parole, the 37-year-old doctor will be released back into the community.

Her immigration lawyer Alisdair Putt said Liyanage cried when she learned she was able to stay.

"She's thankful for all the support she's gotten from a considerable number of people in the community. She was obviously very emotional but so relieved."

The decision comes after an appeal by prominent domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty last month.

In a letter to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton obtained by the ABC, Ms Batty wrote:

"Australia is a country to which people like Dr. Liyanage come to live in the hope they will be able to live free safe lives.

During Liyanage's trial, the court heard the couple's five-year marriage was defined by the "worst kind" of escalating sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

The court heard Athukorala kept 13 terabytes of encrypted child exploitation and bestiality images.

In an appeal to Mr. Dutton, Liyanage took full responsibility for what she did and said there was little to no chance of her reoffending.

She also said she planned to raise awareness about domestic violence upon her release.

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Comments - 9

Appu Thursday, 12 January 2017 04:45 PM

It's a good idea to keep the innocent lady with dignity

Kalpa Thursday, 12 January 2017 05:48 PM

How can a killer be innocent ? She could have divorced if her husband does not match. She will be sentenced to death if it happen in Sri Lanka.

Dee Thursday, 12 January 2017 05:57 PM

Thank goodness!

SL Thursday, 12 January 2017 06:09 PM

Good on her ,But the way she won her visa back is disgusting and disgrace to the public living in Sri Lanka.

zeeeeebra Thursday, 12 January 2017 06:15 PM

had the hysband murdered...he wold hae been sentenced to death...wesy has doubke standards...a female calls 911n complains...the make is arrsted immeduately...but when a male calls.... chances are she wont be arrested... via DM Android App

Manithan Thursday, 12 January 2017 06:27 PM

god bless her with peace after release

clueless Thursday, 12 January 2017 06:55 PM

absolute double standards in Aussie.women can get away with most offences if a finger can be pointed at a male. via DM Android App

ceylon Thursday, 12 January 2017 07:38 PM

due to his brutality against wife. via DM Android App

eleza_39 Wednesday, 18 January 2017 03:52 PM

Don't pass judgement, read the case, then you would know what she went through!

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SL doctor who killed husband, allowed to stay in Australia

Comments - 9

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