Sri Lanka, Feb. 8 -- The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by 20 defendants, including a former local politician, seeking to overturn rigorous imprisonment sentences handed down for the brutal assault and attempted murder of a former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Rasnayakapura Police.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the appellate court's decision and ordered the immediate enforcement of the prison terms.

The group of petitioners included the former Vice Chairman of the Kobeigane Pradeshiya Sabha and the former Chairman of the Kobeigane Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society.

They had challenged the Court of Appeal's sentencing, arguing that the order for rigorous imprisonment was contrary to the law and should be decl...