Death sentence for murder of 16-year-old

By Palitha Ariyawansa   

An accused who stood indicted for causing the death of a 16 year old schoolboy by pushing him out of a moving trishaw was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death by Badulla High Court Judge Prasanna Alwis.   
The accused Ratnayaka Mudiyanselage Heenbanda had on April 09, 2014 pushed the schoolboy out of a moving trishaw causing him fatal injuries that resulted in his death after admission to Badulla General Hospital.   
During the trial, it transpired that the accused and three boys had been travelling by trishaw on their way back after attending a funeral and that he had pushed the schoolboy out of the trishaw during an altercation. He had been under the influence of liquor at the time of the incident.   
The driver of the trishaw Ajith Bandara Attanayake who stood indicted as the first accused was acquitted.   
State Counsel Chirasthi Seneviratne prosecuted.