SC upholds death sentence on ex-DIG Vass Gunawardena, his son and three others

 By A.J.A Abeynayake 

The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence handed down to former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Vass Gunawardena and four others, who were convicted of the abduction and murder of businessman Mohammed Siyam in 2013.

The defendants were informed of the decision at the Colombo High Court on Friday (20) Prison officials presented the five defendants, including former DIG Vass Gunawardena and his son Ravindu Gunawardena, before the court for the announcement.

Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige informed the defendants that their appeals had been dismissed, and the death sentence imposed by a three-member Colombo High Court bench had been upheld.

The defence Attorney raised concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the implementation date of the sentence, highlighting that the Supreme Court had not specified when the death sentence would be carried out. This detail, the Attorney argued, is significant if the defendants are to seek a presidential pardon.

In response, Judge Patabendige clarified that the matter of setting an implementation date falls within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and he does not have the authority to issue an order on the matter.