News
Couple sentenced to death for torturing and murdering two-year-old adopted boy
By A. J. A. Abeynayake
Colombo High Court Judge Sujeewa Nishshanka, yesterday (6), sentenced to death a man and his wife for torturing and murdering a two-year-old boy whom they had adopted.
The convicted individuals, Mohamed Ali Mohamed Ushwan and Mohamed Sipana, aged between 35 and 40, are residents of Maligawatta, Colombo. The Attorney General had filed charges against them, which the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt. Despite the defence’s claim that the child’s injuries were accidental or caused by a medical condition, forensic evidence confirmed that he had suffered nearly 90 injuries, including burns from boiling water, as a result of sustained torture at the couple’s home.
The couple argued that hot water had accidentally spilled on the victim and that they had taken him to a private doctor. However, the court noted that if it had been an accident, they would have taken him to the nearby children’s hospital rather than a private hospital. The judge ruled that this was clear evidence of intentional harm.
The incident took place on 1 May 2018. Police launched an investigation after receiving information that the child was to be buried without a post-mortem examination. His body was later presented to a forensic medical officer.
The couple, who had only daughters, took custody of the boy from a woman working in their household, promising to care for him. The biological mother went overseas in search of work and the adoptive mother subjected the child to severe abuse, according to the police.
Senior State Counsel Kalana Kothalawala prosecuted the case on behalf of the Attorney General.
Before sentencing, the court interpreter asked the accused whether they had anything to say. The two defendant maintained their innocence insisting that they had no reason to kill the child.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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