HC judge Sarath Ambepitiya murder appeal fixed for Oct 10

Wasantha Ramanayake

COLOMBO: The Supreme Court yesterday set October 10 for hearings in the High Court judge Sarath Ambepitiya murder appeal .

The Court earlier appointed a five Bench panel of Supreme Court judges to hear the case.

The court allowed an application by counsel for accused-appellants moving for further time. The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC with Justice Nimal Dissanayake and Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga.

Five accused-appellants Mohammed Niyas Naufer alias Potta Naufer, H. Nishantha Udaya Kumara, S. T. Wijewardane Abeywickrama, H. S. R. Rupasinghe and M. P. A. Sumedha Niroshana cited the Attorney General as respondents.

They appealed against the conviction and the death sentence imposed on them by the Trial-at-Bar in Colombo on July 4, 2005.They sought to set aside their conviction and sentence. The Trial-at-Bar convicted and sentenced them to death for committing the murder of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya and his personal bodyguard Inspector R.A. Upali on November 19, 2004.

They were further convicted for the conspiracy charges. President's Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne appeared for first appellant. Dr. Ranjit Fernando appeared for the 2, 3, 4 and 5 appellants. The hearing was fixed for October 10.