Accused in the Namal Gunawardene murder, acquitted after a 19-year legal battle

The Colombo High Court today ordered the acquittal of an accused who had been charged with committing the murder of former Western Province Councillor Namal Gunawardena in 2004.

Accused Sampath Thusara was ordered to be acquitted and released from the case by High Court Judge Mahen Weeraman on the basis that the prosecution evidence is not sufficient to prove charges against the accused.

The Attorney General had filed indictments against the accused in connection with the murder on October 11, 2004, at Dharamarapala Mawatha, Kollupitiya.