12 sentenced to death in former MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala case
Posted on February 11th, 2026
Courtey Hiru News
The Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar today (11) sentenced 12 individuals to death after finding them guilty of the murder of former Polonnaruwa District Member of Parliament Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer during the May 2022 unrest.
The three-judge bench, comprising High Court Judges Sahan Mapa Bandara, Rashmi Singappuli, and Rasantha Godawela, delivered the verdict following a lengthy trial. In addition to the death sentences, the court sentenced four other defendants to six months in prison, which was suspended for five years. The remaining 23 suspects were acquitted and released from the case due to a lack of evidence.
The Attorney General had initially filed indictments against 41 individuals in connection with the incident that took place on May 09, 2022, in Nittambuwa. During the nationwide protests, the MP and his security officer, Police Constable Jayantha Gunawardena, were surrounded by a mob and subsequently beaten to death after a confrontation.