AG wants sentences enhanced

4 August 2014 09:51 pm - 39 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Attorney General yesterday filed an appeal in the High Court stating that the sentences imposed on the convicts of British aid worker Khuram Sheikh’s murder were not sufficient.

While requesting to amend the punishments given to the convicts the AG also suggested that these convicts should be given death sentence or life imprisonment as they committed the murder using weapons as members of an unlawful assembly.

The petition also noted that the Judge had reiterated that fourth accused in the unlawful assembly had used a firearm and that in cases of unlawful assembly an offence committed by one applies to all in the group.

On July 18, four convicts including former Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidanapathirana who were found guilty of killing British tourist Khuram Shaikh in December 2011 and for raping and brutally assaulting his fiancée while holidaying at the tourist resort of Tangalle were sentenced by the High Court.

Consequently the four convicts O.A Lahiru Kalum, U. Saman Deshapriya, Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidanapathirana and W. Prageeth Chaturanga, were sentenced to 107 years rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Rohini Walgama after a lengthily trial.

Two other accused M. Sarath alias Sahan, S. Prageeth Chaturanga, were acquitted from the case as the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against them beyond reasonable doubt.

Judge Rohini Walgama also ordered that the 107-year jail term be run concurrently within 20 years.

Later the first convict O.A.Lahiru Kelum in the Tangalle Resort British tourist murder case yesterday petitioned to the Court of Appeal against the Colombo High Court Judge’s verdict of sentencing him to twenty years rigorous imprisonment. (Manopriya Gunasekera)

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Comments - 39

Guru Tuesday, 05 August 2014 07:33 AM

The murderers must be given proper punishment. AG is absolutely right in appealing for a longer and hash sentence. This may be the first step in bringing law an order in place in the country

N. Bandara Tuesday, 05 August 2014 06:13 AM

Death sentence is appropriate!

King Soloman Tuesday, 05 August 2014 06:23 AM

God Forgave King David and King David Married the victims Wife and made her the Queen and Mother of King Soloman.

sada Tuesday, 05 August 2014 06:29 AM

This request will be of no use

Gamarala Tuesday, 05 August 2014 06:32 AM

Very good move by the AG. The death penalty is warranted in this horrendous case. I hope the high court agrees with the AG .

Azee Tuesday, 05 August 2014 12:06 PM

We dont know whether it is a sham to show the world that no body has interests in helping the convicts via DM Android App

malij Tuesday, 05 August 2014 06:59 AM

Three cheers for the AG

malij Tuesday, 05 August 2014 07:00 AM

Hang the brutes.

Rampooosi Tuesday, 05 August 2014 07:06 AM

Who can stop supreme executive tolerance that create haven inside prison for political prisoners serving sentences?

kane Tuesday, 05 August 2014 07:27 AM

BIGGEST eye wash!

Regi Tuesday, 05 August 2014 06:05 AM

Too good to be true

Punch Tuesday, 05 August 2014 07:42 AM

I wonder if they can be bailed pending Appeal which
Can be put off by a few years by when they will be in China!!!

jagath Roshan Fernan Tuesday, 05 August 2014 07:46 AM

Why to hoodwink ordinary citizen of the country,these punishments imposed would end up in few independence day celebrations .What a country we are living in-Roshan Fernando

Kandy Lamissi Tuesday, 05 August 2014 08:41 AM

The very truth is ....to protect one political coward.....they let down the name Sri lanka! Was it worth they waited until Prince Charles & PM David Cameron raised this issue. We must appreciate Sheike's brother & his local MP's hard work.
No other country would have let down their mother land .....simply to protect one un-educated political thug + his un-educated henchmen..........Simple as that....!

wasana Tuesday, 05 August 2014 08:50 AM

cut the main-swtich then game over, no more rape case in future

TripleX Tuesday, 05 August 2014 09:05 AM

Hope no short time for AG.

Rampooosi Tuesday, 05 August 2014 09:18 AM

Too poor to change Julam-pity culture.

Rampooosa Tuesday, 05 August 2014 09:37 AM

British HC must find out how he serves the present sentence.

UK Emabssy Tuesday, 05 August 2014 09:59 AM

UK embassy to look at this seriously and also look at him in the jail as well how the punishment has been given or still our culprits made him as paradise in jail as well. PLEABE BE FOCUSED

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 05 August 2014 10:39 AM

Excellent comment, but much too late. Even the Jayalalitha / Modi issue blundered by our own Ministry of defense whose head is the Presidents is another utter shame.

Galkatas Tuesday, 05 August 2014 03:02 AM

This case-Murder+ Rape=20 years prison sentence
Other cases-Murder=Death sentence
Where is the Justice?

Tom Tuesday, 05 August 2014 05:17 AM

Drama part -2. edited by ...... via DM Android App

C.K.Lankaputhra Tuesday, 05 August 2014 12:39 AM

All supersedes presidential pardon. He knows it very well. Anyway, good move.

ANTON Tuesday, 05 August 2014 01:11 AM

THIS CLEARLY SHOWS THAT OUR LAW HAS NO PROPER STANDARDS.

indi Tuesday, 05 August 2014 01:59 AM

Is It a Joke or What

ABC Tuesday, 05 August 2014 07:33 AM

Yes to death penalty. It is not just a murder and rape they murdered entire nations reputation via DM Android App

Rajaratnam Tuesday, 05 August 2014 02:27 AM

Oh... that means the war crime matter become serious than expected.

Nodrog Tuesday, 05 August 2014 02:33 AM

They should also not be eligible for any pardons.

Jason Tuesday, 05 August 2014 02:46 AM

Good to see the A.G. Dept. being proactive!
Push for the Death Sentence commuted to Life Imprisonment!

Simple Simon Tuesday, 05 August 2014 03:02 AM

Longer sentence for DELAYED JUSTICE !

Rohan Tuesday, 05 August 2014 03:39 AM

Murder should get death penalty. And also rape and drug trafficking. Otherwise society will go down the drain. via DM Android App

Perumal Tuesday, 05 August 2014 04:12 AM

Re-called and re-discussed under pressure on someone from Gods?

Empulze Tuesday, 05 August 2014 10:02 AM

Seems like another Chanda gundu..... via DM Android App

Andrew Pitugala Tuesday, 05 August 2014 04:50 AM

Is this part of a tele-drama ???? Who is the Director ???

wijebahu Tuesday, 05 August 2014 04:54 AM

Is that the Justice system in Sri lanka? I mean pleasant surprise. yes Mr AG minimum should be life. you can restore some respectability to our justice system.

ds Tuesday, 05 August 2014 05:11 AM

[quote name="ABC"]Yes to death penalty. It is not just a murder and rape they murdered entire nations reputation via DM Android App[/quote]
Your opinion is very precise. Thanks buddy for understanding the gravity of this crime.

tharindu Tuesday, 05 August 2014 05:20 AM

this is not our law this is British law...yes any law could have loopholes

pradeep Tuesday, 05 August 2014 05:47 AM

Who will be the next AG once this one is forced to retire tomorrow or with a no confidence motion

Don Don Tuesday, 05 August 2014 06:02 AM

Possibly a drama to release him, over turning the previous verdict.

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AG wants sentences enhanced

Comments - 39

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