12 sentenced to death for murder of former MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala

2026-02-11 - 07:50

Amarakeerthi Athukorala Twelve people found guilty of murdering former Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer in 2022 were sentenced to death today (February 11) by the Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar. The verdict came after a lengthy hearing, while another four individuals received six-month prison sentences, suspended for five years. Additionally, 23 other accused were acquitted by the court. Suspects in the case were brought before the Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar this morning, following the court’s previous decision on January 14 to defer the verdict until today. The former MP and his security officer, a police constable, were killed during nationwide unrest on May 9, 2022, in the Nittambuwa area. That evening, a shooting incident injured six people, three with gunshot wounds, and one 27-year-old later died from critical injuries. Reports indicate that Athukorala and his security officer had fired at a mob of protesters blocking their vehicle, critically injuring two people. Later, both were found murdered while hiding inside a nearby building. CCTV footage showed them fleeing the scene together, the officer armed with a gun. Following the incident, dozens of suspects were arrested, and the Attorney General filed indictments against 42 individuals in connection with the murders.