20-Year Trial Over Savage Motorcycle Attack Ends in Death Sentence

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Kalutara High Court has sentenced two individuals to death over a brutal murder and grievous assault that took place in the Bobuwela area in 2006, bringing a conclusion to a case that has spanned nearly two decades.

The death sentences were imposed on Chittawal Godella Asanka Pradeep Kumara of Bobuwela, and Kalutarage Ashoka, after they were found guilty of the murder and causing serious injuries in a violent attack.

The victim was identified as Suranga Indrajith Dissanayake, a 26-year-old married man from the Bobuwela area. The incident dates back to May 24, 2006, or a date close to it, when the victim and a friend were travelling on a motorcycle.

Court findings revealed that the attackers had waylaid the duo and struck the pillion rider on the back using the blunt side of a sword, causing him to fall off the motorcycle.

Following the fall, the rider had stopped the motorcycle, at which point the suspects launched a brutal assault. The victim was hacked with a sword, sustaining fatal injuries to his head and arm, while the pillion rider suffered severe injuries, including having one of his legs severed.

The suspects were initially arrested by the Dodangoda Police and produced before court.

Police stated that the main suspect, who had been granted bail by the High Court approximately one and a half years after the incident, had subsequently been working as a three-wheeler driver.

Authorities further revealed that one of the convicted individuals is currently believed to be residing overseas.

In response, the court has issued orders to the Inspector General of Police, the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, and the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to ensure the suspect is arrested and the sentence carried out.

The court also directed that the individual be taken into custody and handed over to prison authorities if he attempts to enter or leave the country through any airport in Sri Lanka.

Investigations uncovered that the main suspect was the brother of the victim’s wife at the time, and that the killing had been carried out due to a personal dispute.