The Colombo High Court issued death sentences to seven individuals found guilty of forcibly hijacking a fishing boat in an attempt to illegally flee to Australia. The accused were convicted of killing three fishermen on the boat, throwing others overboard in Sri Lankan waters.
In addition to the death sentences, the court sentenced each of the seven individuals to 27 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed fines of Rs. 2 million and Rs. 8,500 separately. If unable to pay the fines, the accused face an additional four years and four months of lenient imprisonment.
During the trial, the first accused, Anusha Uthpala, the sixth accused, Sisira Kumara, and the eighth accused, Ajith Kumara, passed away. The case proceeded against the remaining accused.
After a comprehensive trial, Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige affirmed that the prosecution successfully proved the charges against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Attorney General had filed indictments in the High Court, encompassing 14 counts. The seven convicted individuals were also acquitted and released from five charges by the Colombo High Court. The tenth accused, Telsi Kalyani, was acquitted and released from the case.
