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Death row inmate obtains masters degree becoming world’s 5th to do so

11 July 2019 11:44 pm - 15     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Indika Bamunusinghe, a prison inmate on death row received his Master’s Degree from the Kelaniya University Convocation which was held at the BMICH today.

He is the first in Sri Lanka and fifth in the world to obtain a master’s degree during the period of imprisonment. He was serving life imprisonment after being sentenced to death.

Mr Bamunusinghe graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree Programme in Social Sciences from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2017 and started preparing to read for his masters at the Kelaniya University.

He has read for his degree from the Sri Jayewardenepura University in the subjects of Sinhala, Buddhist Culture, Social Science and Criminology, while subjects studied for the post-graduate degree from the Kelaniya University were Social Science, Social Culture, Social Research, Combined Social Sciences, and Contemporary Social Science.

He said that his wife helped him in his studies for the degree, providing him with the tape-recorded lectures from the university with the assistance of the university staff, complying with prison regulations under the guidance of Commissioner of Prisons (Rehabilitation) Chandana Ekanayake.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Mr. Ekanayake said the request made by the inmate to register in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Kelaniya University to sit for his masters was endorsed by the then Prisons Commissioner-General Nishantha Dhanasinghe.

“This is the first occasion in the history of the prison in Sri Lanka and the fifth in the world where an inmate obtained his Master’s Degree. Therefore, it is a rare privilege for the inmate and also for the prison. We salute him and wish him well for all his endeavours. I should mention that this person has taught us a good lesson of striving hard to achieve the goals irrespective of whatever condition you are in," Ekanayake said.

“Bamunusinghe was assisted by a former university lecturer, who was also an inmate when Bamunusinghe was preparing himself for the BA Degree Programme in Social Sciences,” Mr Ekanayake added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)


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  Comments - 15

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  • raj Thursday, 11 July 2019 08:56 PM

    I can't understand how he end up in prison

    Benette Thursday, 11 July 2019 08:57 PM

    Glorifying of criminals should stop!

    Yoga Thursday, 11 July 2019 09:24 PM

    Let him live. He can be more useful than some of the Parliamentarians, politicians in Sri lanka.

    Kumar Thursday, 11 July 2019 09:43 PM

    This inmate must have done a some thing really bad to get the death sentence. As usual nobody like to mention that part of his life. I suppose nothing can bring back anybody from the dead.

    One slip Thursday, 11 July 2019 09:48 PM

    "I can't understand how he end up in prison" - a past master

    Jude Thursday, 11 July 2019 10:01 PM

    Hello, Rehab Comish Ekanayake, the inmate's future endeavour will be gallows or lifetime imprisonment!!! Nothing much to look forward for!! Yeah!!!

    Tony Thursday, 11 July 2019 10:02 PM

    Now he can not enter the parliament.

    Nimal Thursday, 11 July 2019 11:13 PM

    He deserves life and freedom!

    Sam D Friday, 12 July 2019 01:27 AM

    Lakmini Indika Bamunusinghe who was sentenced to death in connection with the murder of Mohammed Shiyam

    Tinkiriya Friday, 12 July 2019 03:39 AM

    Crime is "legalized" in politics. Therefore, Indika should have become a politician.

    Ram Friday, 12 July 2019 04:05 AM

    Great achievement. He must be used in the rehabilitation of the prisoners. The subjects he has offered are ideal to help the prisoners.

    Lalith Heengama Friday, 12 July 2019 06:18 AM

    Congrats inmate. Well done Mr chandana Ekanayake you too deserve Congrats for helping the inmates like this. Lalith Heengama

    Lord Wolfstein Friday, 12 July 2019 10:35 AM

    He is qualified to become the commissioner of prisons. If it is not a barrier for politicians to be a convicted criminal why should it be a problem for government officials?

    anushan Selvarajah Friday, 12 July 2019 11:24 AM

    Indika Bamunusinghe was Sub-Inspector of the police attached to Ex- DIG Vaas Gunawardena and was sentenced to death for the murder of mohamed siyam

    Goodie Friday, 12 July 2019 12:45 PM

    This is government propaganda to stop president from executing prisoners. Bamunusingha caught to the correct time and place.


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