‘Sarpaya’ acquitted in double murder case

The Colombo High Court yesterday ordered to acquit and release former UNP member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Hasitha Samantha Muhandiram alias ‘Sarpaya’ who was convicted of a double murder in 1999.

The Provincial Council member was charged with shooting of the late Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Member Ranjith Nandasena, and his security officer and setting his car on fire with both bodies inside in Kalawana in 1999.

The order to acquit and release Hasitha Samantha Muhandiram was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Nawaratne Marasinghe.

The Judge had noted that Police had carried out the investigations in a negligent manner and the evidence, including the Judicial Medical evidence, lacked credibility. The Judge also said that the defendant would be acquitted and released as the plaintiff had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the allegations made against him.