Mohamed Shyam murder case: SC affirms death sentence for Vaas Gunawardena and five others

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Supreme Court five-judge bench yesterday decided to dismiss the appeal petitions filed by former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, and four police officers who challenged the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar judgment to impose the death sentence and convict them of committing the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam.  The Supreme Court’s five-judge bench comprising Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Preethi Padman Surasena, Gamini Amarasekara, Achala Wengappuli, and Arjuna Obeyesekere unanimously upheld the judgment of Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar dated 27th of November 2015.  It was revealed that the third accused, a Police Constable, had died while under incarceration.  

Former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, and four police officers were sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar Bench for the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam in 2013 in the Dompe area.  

The accused who were sentenced to death are former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, Sub Inspector Indika Bamunuge, Police Constable (PC) Gamini Sarath Chandra, PC Priyanka Sanjeewa, and PC Kelum Ranga. 

Through their appeal, the six accused sought the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to review and set aside their convictions and the death sentence imposed by the High Court.  

Gamini Marapana PC, Navin Marapana PC, Counsel Nandapala Wickremasuriya, Kaushalya Molligoda, and Uchitha Wickremasinghe appeared for Vaas Gunawardena and his son Ravindu Gunawardena. Senior Counsel Darshana Kuruppu appeared for the second accused. Anuja Premaratne PC appeared for the third accused. Counsel Ranjan Mendis appeared for the fourth accused. Anil Silva PC with Asitha Vipulanayake appeared for the fifth accused. Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena appeared for the Attorney General.