Death for soldier in quintuple slaying during terror period

By Palitha Ariyawansa

A suspect in a murder committed 18 years ago, when five members of one family were killed, was sentenced to death last week by the Badulla High Court. The gruesome incident had occurred on December 12, 1989 at Ella in Welimada and the murderer was a soldier at the time. He had used a T 81 firearm belonging to a colleague of his to carry out the murder.

The verdict against Neil Abeyratne was given by High Court Judge Sunil Gamini Perera who said in his judgment he was satisfied with the proceedings which had clearly established the suspect was the murderer.

The incident had taken place during the height of the JVP insurgency and was committed close to the Welimada Army camp. The suspect had attempted to show that it was an act of the JVP as anti-government activity was rife in the area at the time. The dead were three sisters of one family, a 12 year old girl and a ten month old infant.

As the suspect had used a T 81 forearm stolen from the Army camp, he was arrested soon after his return to the camp when the firearm and other items suspected to have been stolen by him were taken into custody. Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Navaratna Bandara appeared for the prosecution.

Though the incident happened many years ago its impact has yet to be forgotten in the village. M D Punchi Nona (80) who lost her three daughters and two grand children says that fate saved her from an untimely death that Poya day as she was away in the temple observing sil.