By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The appeal petitions filed by Ratnapura District Parliamentarian Premalal Jayasekera and two others challenging Ratnapura High Court’s judgement to convict them for committing the murder of an individual following a shooting that took place in 2015 during the Presidential Election were yesterday fixed for argument by Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice R. Gurusinghe fixed the appeal petitions for argument on November 25.

On July 31, 2020, Premalal Jayasekera and two others were convicted by Ratnapura High Court for committing murder of Shantha Dodamgoda while being engaged in decorating the election stage in Kahawatta area.
Through their appeal, three accused-appellants stated that they were seeking the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to review and set aside their conviction and the death sentence imposed by Ratnapura High Court.
President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, Anuja Premaratne PC, Counsel Hafeel Farisz,  Vajira Ranasinghe and  Buddhika Chandrasekara appeared for the accused-appellants.

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris appeared for the aggrieved party.

Deputy Solicitor General Sudarshana de Silva appeared for the Attorney General.

• On July 31, 2020, Premalal Jayasekera and two others were convicted by Ratnapura High Court for committing murder of Shantha Dodamgoda while being engaged in decorating the election stage in Kahawatta area
• They are seeking the jurisdiction of the CA to review and set aside their conviction and  death sentence