3 suspects of 2012 Kotakethana murder of Mother and Daughter acquitted

The Colombo High Court decided to acquit the 3 suspects of the murder of a mother and her daughter of Kotaketana in Kahawatta on July 19th, 2012.

The verdict of the murder was given by Colombo High Court Judge Devika Livera de Tennakoon.

This verdict was scheduled to be announced on May 7th, but it was postponed later until today.

The Attorney General filed a case against the murder of 63-year old Liyanarachchige Premawathi and her 23-year old daughter Hevagamage Pushpakumari, and later burning them inside their house on July 19th in 2012.

This is the first case filed by the Attorney General against a murder of serial killings in Kotaketana.

Suspects, Namal Chaminda Silva, Sisira Priyantha Kumara and Lokugam Hevage Mitila were indicted in connection with this double murder.

While reading out the verdict, the High Court Judge stated that there were contradictions between the evidence given by the witness and the evidence given by the two judicial medical officers.

Therefore, Colombo High Court judge Devika Liver de Tennakoon said that the Court has decided, the particular evidences are unfaithful, and the failure in the part of the plaintiff to prove the charges beyond doubt, the three suspects were acquitted.