Six sentenced to death over 2003 murder in Hambantota

Six men accused of hacking to death a man in Katanwewa, Hambantota on the Sinhala and Tamil New Year day,  20 years ago, were sentenced to death by the Hambantota High Court on Monday.

The accused had killed a 30-year-old unmarried man residing in Hambantota, Katanwewa on April 4, 2003.

An unmarried person named Wijesinha Kankanamge Nandatissa was killed by the accused in a clash that arose out of a long-standing dispute over cattle ownership.

According to a complaint received by the Hambantota Police regarding this murder, the Hambantota Police, who conducted an investigation, arrested 21 persons and presented them to the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court.

A case was filed before the Hambantota High Court under nine indictments including murder.After a lengthy trial, the prosecution managed to prove the charges levelled against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. Considering all the evidence, the Hambantota High Court Judge acquitted 15 of the 21 accused and found six accused guilty of the related charges.