Ex-DIG Vaas Gunawardena's appeal fixed for hearing between Sept 18 - Oct 04

The appeal filed against the death sentence on former DIG  Vaas Gunawardena and six others will be taken up for hearing between September 18 to October 04, the Supreme Court announced today (May 21).

This was announced when the appeal petition was taken up before a five-judge bench led by Justice Sisira de Abrew who announced that the case would be postponed until the said dates.

The case was postponed since Justice Vijith Malalgoda who is also a member of the judge bench had to attend an inquiry at the presidential commission, Justice Abrew told court.

Former DIG Gunawardena and six others including his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena had filed the appeal seeking to quash the Colombo High Court's decision to impose a death sentence on them.

The death sentence had been passed after the suspects were found guilty by court over the murder of businessman Mohamed Shiyam on May 22, 2013.

The former DIG and his son along with Sub Police Inspector Indika Bamunuge, and Police Constables Gamini Sarathchandra, Priyantha Sanjeewa and Kelum Ranga are the accused who had filed the appeal petition.