Death for five army personnel for December 2001 polls day killings: Former Deputy Defence Minister acquitted

[January 20, 2006 - 12.15 GMT]

Five personnel of the Sri Lanka Army including one lieutenant were today (20) sentenced to death for their role in the murder of 10 Muslim youth at Udatalawinna in the Kandy District, during the General Election of December 2001.

The judges of the special Trial-at-Bar that heard the sensational case acquitted the former Deputy Minister of Defence Gen. Anuruddha Ratwatte and his two sons and five other security services personnel also accused in the case, for lack of evidence against them.

The five persons sentenced to death were also sentenced to 20 year rigorous imprisonment each for unlawful assembly and obstructing people from casting
their votes at that election.

There were 18 accused in all in the case which lasted nearly three years from the initial inquiry at the Magistrates Court, Kandy and the Trial-at-Bar in Colombo.

Of these 18 accused, two army personnel were discharged earlier by the Court for lack of evidence. Apart from those sentenced to death, the other eight accused against whom the case was continued included the former Deputy Minister for Defence, Gen. Anuruddha Ratwatte, his two sons Lohan and Thanuja Ratwatte and five armed services personnel.

All of them were acquitted by the Court for lack of evidence.

The Muslim youth were killed by being shot at while traveling in a van to vote on December 5, 2001, at Udatalawinna in the Kandy District, where Gen. Ratwatte was the political organizer for the People's Alliance which was in power at the time. It was alleged that the killing was done by special security forces personnel detailed for the protection of the former Deputy Minister of Defence.

The General Election of December 2001 brought the United National Front, a coalition led by the United National Party to office, ending an eleven year majority in parliament by the People's Alliance led by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

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Last Updated Date: January 20, 2005 - 12.15 GMT