Moneragala High Court Judge Gihan H. Kulatunga yesterday handed down the death sentence to five persons convicted of committing a murder in 2002.

Those convited were R.K.D. Piyadasa of 3rd Mile Post, Kotabowa, Bibile, K.D. John of Ikiriyanpollanda in Medagama, Mohamed Niyaz of Kathaluwala, Medagama, R.K.D. Sugathadasa and K.D. Upul Kumara of Kalugahawadiya, Medagama. They were found guilty of abducting and murdering D.M. Mahinda Nishshanka of Kalugahawadiya, Medagama on October 15 in 2002.

The judge found the five persons guilty of the charges of unlawful assembly, abduction and murder.

The fourth accused in the case R.K.D. Chaminda Rajapaksa of Diyapola in Nannapurawa was discharged as charges against him were not proven.

The case was filed by the Attorney General under the provisions of Article 296 of the Penal Code. (By Ravindu Gunathilake,Badalkumbura Corr.)

Source: The Islands (Sri Lanka)