2012 shooting spree at JVP Meeting Death sentence affirmed on Julampitiye Amare

• On November 7, 2019, Julampitiye Amare was sentenced to death by Tangalle High Court after he was found guilty of killing two and injuring another in 2012 in Katuwana 

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The Court of Appeal has upheld the death sentence imposed by the Tangalle High Court on Geeganage Gamage Amarasiri, alias ‘Julampitiye Amare,’ who was found guilty of killing two individuals and injuring another at a JVP meeting in 2012 at Katuwana, Hambantota 

While dismissing the appeal filed by the accused, the Court of Appeal affirmed the sentence imposed on five counts, including the murder of two individuals by firing shots at a JVP meeting held at the residence of Liyanage Ranjith in Hadiwatta, Katuwana, on June 15, 2012.   
However, the Court of Appeal set aside the sentences imposed on the accused in relation to the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th counts, as they could not stand, being alternative counts to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th counts.   
Accordingly, appeal against the sentence was also dismissed by the Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sampath B. Abayakoon and P. Kumararatnam.   
On November 7, 2019, Julampitiye Amare was sentenced to death by Tangalle High Court after he was found guilty of killing two and injuring another in 2012 in Katuwana.   
Edirimannage Malani (50) of Thalwatta, Katuwana and 18-year-old J.P.Nimantha Greshan were killed in the shooting while 26-year-old Pradeep Saranga sustained severe injuries.   
“It is abundantly clear when considering the evidence as a whole that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against the appellant. I am of the view that the learned High Court Judge has convicted the appellant for the counts preferred against him after having considered the evidence placed before him and analysing the same as they should have with the relevant legal principles in mind”, Justice Abayakoon observed.   
 U.R. de Silva, P.C. with Savithri Fernando appeared for the accused. Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera appeared for the Attorney General.