The appeal petition filed by former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena and four police officers challenging the Colombo High Court’s judgement to convict them for the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam was yesterday fixed for February 6 by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court five-judge bench also directed the Registrar of the Colombo High Court to forward all the documents pertaining to this case on or around January 31.
When the matter came up for argument, the court was informed that the defence was yet to receive documents pertaining to High Court proceedings. Taking into consideration the facts, both the High Court and Supreme Court Registrars were yesterday summoned before the Supreme Court to inquire as to why all documents had not been handed over to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court five-judge bench comprised Justices Sisira de Abrew, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Prasanna Jayawardena, Justice Vijith Malalgoda and Justice Preethi Padman Surasena
Former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena and four police officers were sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar Bench for committing the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam in 2013 in Dompe.
The accused who were ordered to be sentenced to death were former DIG Vaas Gunawardena and his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, Sub Inspector Indika Bamunuge, Police Constable (PC) Gamini Sarath Chandra, PC Priyanka Sanjeewa and PC Kelum Ranga.
Through their appeal, the six accused-appellants said they were seeking the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to review and set aside their conviction and the death sentence imposed by the High Court.
President’s Counsel Gamini Marapana with Anil Silva, PC, Counsel Darshana Kuruppu and counsel Asitha Vipulanayake appeared for the accused-appellants.
Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena appeared for the Attorney General.
from daily news