Quadruple murder accused acquitted after 16 years

By Upali Ananda

Colombo, July 14 (Daily Mirror) - An accused who stood indicted with quadruple murder was found not guilty and acquitted by North Central Province High Court Judge Indika Attanayake. The case had been pending for 16 years.

He was alleged to have, on February 02, 2010, clubbed to death, over a family dispute, his wife, his wife’s mother, his aunt (wife’s mother’s sister) and her paramour, all of whom were lying on one bed.

The accused M.Naleen Sanjeewa of Galkulama in Anuradhapura was a former army corporal. He stood indicted severally for the murder of the four individuals.

The deceased were Sakila Hansamali, T.B.Anulawathie, T.B. Pathmini, and her paramour, M.K.Sampath Anurasiri. Sakila Hansamali was the accused’s wife. They had been clubbed to death with an iron bar.

After non-summary proceedings in Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court, he had been committed to stand trial in the High Court.

Delivering the judgement, the Judge held that the prosecution failed to establish the charges against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.

State Counsel Yomali Nagodavithana prosecuted, while Attorney at Law Bhagya Sri Herath defended. Anuradhapura Police, that conduced investigations of the incident gave evidence for the prosecution.