Suspended sentences for two accused in Vijaya murder case

Sandasen Marasinghe

COLOMBO: Colombo High Court Judge Thilak Thabrew yesterday sentenced two accused in two separate cases in connection with the murder of popular film personality Vijaya Kumaratunga to two years rigorous imprisonment after they pleaded guilty. The sentence was suspended for five years.

Weeraratne Mudiyanselage Dhanapala alias Pala was indicted conspiring with Lionel Ranasinghe alias Gamini and Tarzan Weerasinghe alias Herath to murder Vijaya Kumarathunga and for committing the crime on February 16, 1988 at Kirulapona. Gamini and Herath died later.

The Court also imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000 and another one year RI in default. In a separate case Dhanapala and Thuraisami Sri Kanthan were indicted under Section 198 of Penal Code for their role in the disappearance of the motorcycle and a weapon involved in the murder of Vijaya Kumarathunga.

The Judge sentenced Sri Kanthan to two years rigorous imprisonment after the accused pleaded guilty and suspended it for five years. The Court also imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000 and another one year RI in default.

Sri Kanthan in his statement to Police said that the motorcycle in question was parked near the Kalubowila Hospital and the firearm and a grenade was handed over to a person called Dharme. He said he suspected that they were used to commit the crime.