Supreme Court upholds death sentence for Julampitiye Amare

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Supreme Court yesterday upheld the death sentence imposed by the Tangalle High Court on Geeganage Gamage Amarasiri, alias ‘Julampitiye Amare,’ who was found guilty of killing two individuals and injuring another in 2012 in Katuwana, Hambantota.   

While dismissing the appeal filed by the accused, the Supreme Court affirmed the sentence imposed on five counts, including the murder of two individuals by firing shots at a JVP meeting held at the residence of Liyanage Ranjith in Hadiwatta, Katuwana, on June 15, 2012.   

The Supreme Court three-judge bench, comprising Justices Janak de Silva, Sobhitha Rajakaruna, and Sampath Wijeratne, further affirmed the Court of Appeal’s previous decision to dismiss the appeal.   

On November 7, 2019, Julampitiye Amare was sentenced to death by Tangalle High Court after he was found guilty of killing two and injuring another in 2012 in Katuwana.   

Edirimannage Malani (50) of Thalwatta, Katuwana and 18-year-old J. P. Nimantha Greshan were killed in the shooting while 26-year-old Pradeep Saranga sustained severe injuries.