US judge reduces jail sentence of three LTTErs

13 October 2016 04:00 pm - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Three men convicted by the US of being LTTE terrorists would get their sentences reduced by 10 years after a Brooklyn judge revealed that he had been “haunted” by the case, the New York Daily News reported on Thursday.

“I just believe in my heart of hearts that an injustice has been done and I can’t correct it,” Federal Judge Raymond Dearie has said, according to a transcript of a July 15, 2015 conference with prosecutors and defense lawyers.

Dearie was referring to the 25-year prison terms he was mandated to give to Canadian nationals Sathajhan Sarachandran, Sahilal Sabaratnam, Thiruthanikan Thanigasalam in 2011 for conspiring to acquire surface-to-air missiles on behalf of the Tamil Tigers, a rebel group fighting against the government of Sri Lanka.

The men filed a lawsuit in 2012 in Brooklyn Federal Court seeking a reduction in their sentences and disclosed details about the civil war chaos including the deaths of dozens of innocent children in a Sri Lankan air strike.

“Now that we’ve become a little bit more sophisticated in our thinking about what is and is not terrorism, now that we know a lot more about the conflict in Sri Lanka and the horrors visited upon these people, perhaps there’s a way to provide a fair measure of justice to all without condemning these men to essentially a life behind bars,” Dearie said.

Federal prosecutors informed Dearie this month that the Brooklyn US Attorney’s office had reached an agreement with lawyers for the three men which calls for essentially dropping the arms deal charge.

Their conviction for providing material support to a terrorist organization will remain along with the 15-year prison term.

As part of the agreement, the three men will be deported to Canada after completing their sentences.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 9

spirit Thursday, 13 October 2016 04:56 PM

No worries..in SL now LTTE is considered better than our war heroes..

Nihal Amarasekera Thursday, 13 October 2016 05:18 PM

So moved; move away ISIS is on the way; not that we condone the beheadings

Latha Thursday, 13 October 2016 05:30 PM

What if they had conspired against the US? Jail them for 400 years

JJ Thursday, 13 October 2016 05:35 PM

America is a war of crimes to every nation.They has the right to sell their arms to any country

knob Thursday, 13 October 2016 06:20 PM

waiting for the first superficial comment from someone saying this is proof of the west being against SL via DM iOS App

rosebud Thursday, 13 October 2016 06:22 PM

Three cheers for the arms lobby via DM Android App

dd Thursday, 13 October 2016 06:28 PM

the looting beggars via DM Android App

Ajja Friday, 14 October 2016 08:22 AM

America is a funny land with funny leaders.They make the law and break the law.

Upul Friday, 14 October 2016 02:37 PM

US is the supper man behind whole terrorism in the world so we shouldn't surprise regarding this type of news.They need to understand one day they will be punished by nature.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

US judge reduces jail sentence of three LTTErs

Comments - 9

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

New Visa procedure implemented

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Debt Restructuring Talks: Bondholders Fear Regime Change Impact

Don’t be deceived by NPP and Cardinal Ranjith: UNP

Emirates halts check-in for connections, UL cancels flights to Dubai

Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings