Sri Lanka, Feb. 12 -- The Gampaha Trial-at-Bar sentenced 12 individuals to death and four others to suspended prison terms today (11) regarding the 2022 murder of Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakirthi Athukorala and his security officer. Presiding Judge Sahan Mapa Bandara delivered the split verdict, which also saw 23 other defendants acquitted and released from all charges.

The Attorney General had initially filed indictments against 41 suspects on 14 counts, including unlawful assembly, homicide, and damage to public property. The four individuals given suspended sentences were also ordered to pay fines of Rs. 10,000 each and compensation of Rs. 50,000 to the widows of the deceased MP and his security officer, Sergeant Jayantha Gunaward...