Death sentence imposed twice

By Upali Ananda and Susil Priyantha

Colombo, July 02 (Daily Mirror) - An accused has been found guilty of murder twice and sentenced to death by Balapitiya High Court first on February 17, 2026 and then on June 30, 2026. He has been detained at present at the Welikada prison.

The accused Ilandari Devage Prasanna alias Lalith had been found guilty of murder of a relative Pradeep Kumara of Meetiyagoda off Ambalangoda on September 24, 2014 and, sentenced to death by Balapitiya High Court Judge Ruchira Weliwatta on February 17, 2026.

While the case was pending he had been released on bail in connection with the murder of his own brother Ilandari Devage Douglas on April 14, 2009 who had been shot dead at Meetiyagoda.

During the trial it transpired that the accused, after an altercation over the transaction of Rs.10 with a fellow gambler at a gambling den, who later turned a prosecution witness, had left the gambling den and returned with his gun. When he levelled the gun at the rival, his own brother Douglas who was present there had intervened and attempted to prevent the shooting only to receive gunshot injuries and died.

However the proceedings in the case against him in connection with the murder in 2009 had been pending until the death sentence on him was passed on June 30, 2006 by Balapitiiya High Court Judge Ruchira Weliwatta.

The Judge held that the prosecution had established the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt securing a conviction against him.

State Counsel Senuri Gunatilaka prosecuted while Attorney at Law Amali Jayasinghe instructed by Attorney at Law Sasanka Jayasekara appeared for the accused.