Jaffna High Court Judge imposes double-death sentence

A double –death sentence was imposed by Jaffna High Court Judge M. Ilancheleyan yesteday on three accused persons who inflicted an attack and brutally murdered two people at a TNA election propaganda rally held in Naranthani Kayts in 2001.

The hearing of the case took place after 14 years before the Jaffna High Court Judge M. Ilancheleyan on Nov 21. Sebastian Ramesh alias Napoleon, Nadaraja Madanaraja, Anton Jeewarasa and Namasivayam Gurumoorthy were identified as suspects. The evidence of the defendants and respondents were recorded from November (21).

The Attorney General Department filed 47 charges on the suspects including double murder, causing injuries to 18 people by inflicting attacks on them, damaging vehicles and holding an illegal meeting.

The State Counsel Nagalingam Nishanth made the submissions. Following that the Jaffna High Court Judge pronounced the verdict yesterday. Accordingly, the first three suspects were found guilty and the 4th suspect was found innocent and discharged.

The Judge in his verdict said that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused persons Sebastian Ramesh alias Napoleon, Nadaraja Madanaraja and Anton Jeewarasa were found guilty and the 4th suspect Namasivayam Gurumoorthy was discharged as he was innocent.

Hence, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused were imposed a double-death sentence for murdering Yogasingham Kamalron and Erambu Perambalam. They were also imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 and 20 years rigorous

imprisonment. If they default to pay the fine they have to undergo an additional five years rigorous imprisonment.

Since the 1st and 2nd accused were not living in Sri Lanka presently, an international arrest warrant was issued. In addition to the above, five years rigorous imprisonment was imposed on the 1st, 2nd and the 3rd suspects and a fine of Rs 10,000 for inflicting attacks on Mavai Senathirajah. If they fail to pay the fine they have to undergo six months rigorous imprisonment.

Further, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd suspects were imposed five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000 for inflicting attacks on the present NPC Member M.K Sivajilingam. In default they will have to undergo a six months rigorous imprisonment.

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd suspects were imposed a years rigorous imprisonment and a penalty of Rs. 5,000 for causing minor injuries and also for their absence for the hearing. If they fail to pay the penalty they have to undergo three months rigorous imprisonment. Further, a penalty of Rs. 15,000 and a six months rigorous imprisonment was imposed for damaging the vehicle. In default of the penalty they will have to undergo three months rigorous imprisonment.

A 20- year rigorous imprisonment was imposed and a penalty of Rs. 100,000 for causing damages to vehicles including Parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah’s vehicle. If they fail to pay the penalty they have to undergo five years rigorous imprisonment.

The Judge in his verdict said that the sentences would run consecutively.