All accused acquitted and discharged in murder case

Jayantha de Silva

The Appeal Court yesterday acquitted and discharged six persons who were convicted by the Anuradhapura High Court for murder.

The Bench comprised Justices Ranjith Silva and H Nalin J. Perera.

The accused appellants are Kirage Somaratne, Kuda Susantha Tennakoon Karunaratne Jayasundera, Nalaka Sujith, Upali Tennakoon and Upul Nayanapriya Tennakoon.

The accused appellants stood charged for the murder of Bandiyage Allensuwa, a resident of Meegallewa by stabbing and assaulting him over a land dispute.

The Bench observed that eye witness accounts of the incident were found to be unacceptable. Furthermore, the evidence of eye witness Mudiyanselage Kulatunge now deceased, was contradictory.

SSC Haripriya Jayasuriya appeared for the Attorney General. Attorneys-at-law Anil Silva and Neranjan Jayasuriya appeared for the first second and third accused appellants.

Attorney-at-law Dr. Ranjith Fernando appeared for the fourth, fifth and sixth accused appellants.