News
11-year-jail term for killer who shot policeman
A convicted murderer was sentenced to 11 years rigorous imprisonment by Kandy’s High Court Judge Manilal Waidyatillke for shooting a policeman in Matale in 2004.
The accused, S.M. Herath Ratnayake, who was already serving a sentence for the murder of his paramour, was charged with the attempted killing of policeman Asoka Ratnayake on June 28, 2004. Another accused in the case died before the trial began in March 2014. The incident had occurred during elections, when a police party on patrol duty had been tipped off about illegal slaughter of goats. When a police party headed by a Sub Inspector had approached the site the accused had opened fire injuring constable Ratnayake.
The accused was indicted in the High Court on three charges–of attempted murder and the possession of an unlicenced gun and gunpowder.
Counsel Attorney at Law Sunil Ranasighe had pleaded in mitigation of the accused who was brought to court from prison.
State Counsel Charaka Dharmasiri told Court that one must take into account the accused’s previous conviction and that he be sentenced for the attempted murder of a public officer of law.
The Judge, Manilal Waidyatilleke sentenced the accused to five years rigorous imprisonment for the attempted murder of the police officer, three years for being in possession of unlicenced firearms and three years for the possession of unlicensed gunpowder.