The Court of Appeal yesterday upheld the death sentences imposed on five men convicted in connection with the 2019 seizure of 152 kilograms of heroin.
A Bench comprising Justice Pradeep Hettiarachchi and Justice P. Kumararatnam affirmed the judgment delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Namal Balalle on September 27, 2023. The High Court had found all five accused guilty on three counts and imposed the death penalty for each count.
The convicts — Chaminda Rohana Fernando, Anton Chrisantha Fernando, Dulaj Ravindra Perera, Liyanadurage Surange, and Tharindu Jayantha Fernando, all residents of Kattuwa, Negombo — were charged with conspiracy, trafficking, possession, and peddling of 152.341 kilograms of heroin.
They were arrested on November 2, 2019, in the southern high seas while operating a multi-day fishing trawler named Buddhima, allegedly using their cover as fishermen to transport narcotics.
Additional Solicitor General Shanil Kularatne, assisted by State Counsel Vishwa Wijesuriya, appeared for the Attorney General.
The charges were filed under Section 54A(d) of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, as amended, read with Sections 102 and 113B of the Penal Code.
