MURDER CONVICT NABBED AFTER 17YEARS

A man who was sentenced to death on murder charges and had several warrants out for his arrest, had been absconding court for 17 years before being taken into custody and was sentenced to death last year, Elpitiya Police said.

Polonnaruwa Police IP Sunil Shantha arrested him at the 6th Mile Post, Diyabeduma, Giritale Bakamuna in Polonnaruwa, with the help of the Elpitiya Police Special Task Force OIC S.K. Senadhiratne and Police Sergeant P.L. Karunaratne.

Gasluwage Anura Premajith alias Lunu Anura who resided at Ginimellagaha, Kammalawatte in the Telikada Police Area, had killed R.D. Bawanis by chopping off his head on January 25, 1994 after an argument with him at a Gem mine. He was

Gasluwage Anura Premajith alias Lunu Anura who resided at Ginimellagaha, Kammalawatte in the Telikada Police Area, had killed R.D. Bawanis by chopping off his head on January 25, 1994

sentenced to death on 21.09.2011 at the Badulla High Court in absentia. He married Madduma Dodangodage Priyanthai, a gar- ment employee in 1990 while he was working at a hotel in Colombo after a love affair. After marriage they have lived in Ginimellagaha Kammalwatte for about 4 years.

After the murder he left away from the village with his wife and children. Later he was known as Lunu Anura as he sold salt in weekly fairs.