Five men sentenced to death

27 February 2013 08:23 am

Five men who stood indicted on charges of having murdered a 65-year-old resident of Walakumburegama in Nagoda on Oct. 23, 1998, were found guilty and sentenced to death by Galle High Court Judge K.B.K. Hirimburegama this morning.

The victim was shot dead during an altercation over the theft of tender tea leaves from an estate owned by a senior military officer.

1st and 2nd accused were soldiers while the 3rd and 4th accused worked in the tea estate. Two other accused were acquitted. (D.G. Sugathapala)