Sri Lanka sentences 12 to death for 2022 lawmaker’s murder

A Sri Lankan High Court on Wednesay sentenced 12 people to death for the 2022 killing of former parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his police bodyguard during island-wide unrest triggered by the country’s worst economic crisis. The verdict was delivered by a special Trial-at-Bar of the Gampaha High Court after a lengthy hearing. Four other defendants received six-month prison sentences suspended for five years, while 23 were acquitted. Athukorala, a lawmaker from the Polonnaruwa district, and his security officer were killed in the town of Nittambuwa on May 9, 2022, amid violent clashes between protesters and political supporters. Authorities said the MP and his bodyguard had opened fire on a crowd blocking their vehicle, critically injuring two people, before fleeing and later being attacked and killed inside a nearby building. 
Prosecutors had filed charges against 42 suspects in connection with the incident. It is notable that although courts in Sri Lanka have given death sentence on several occasions, the punishment has not been carried out since 1976, maintaining a long-standing moratorium. The punishment remains in its criminal code and requires President’s approval. According to reports, the parliamentarian and his security officer had opened fire at an angry mob of protesters and critically injured two people while they were blocking his vehicle. The MP and his security were later found murdered later that day inside a nearby building.