Fundraising drive for appeals of 12 sentenced to death over Athukorala killing

A fundraising campaign was held in Nittambuwa and surrounding areas on Saturday to raise money for the legal appeals of 12 people sentenced to death over the killing of former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala in May 2022.

Athukorala was killed in Nittambuwa during the nationwide violence that followed attacks on peaceful protesters at Galle Face and subsequent attacks targeting SLPP politicians.

The Nittambuwa People’s Collective, comprising Aragalaya activists and human rights defenders, organised the sale of tickets to meet administrative, documentation and logistical costs associated with the appeals.

Appeals have been filed on behalf of 10 of those convicted challenging the ruling before the Supreme Court.

High Court Judge S.Y. Mapabandara issued a dissenting opinion in the case, holding that the charges had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt. The accused were convicted by a two-to-one majority decision.

The collective estimates the total cost of the appeals at around Rs. 20 million. This includes about Rs. 3 million for documentation, including copying case files exceeding 17,000 pages each, and another Rs. 17 million to retain defence counsel, including four President’s Counsel.

The families of those convicted, many of whom were the main income earners in their households, are facing severe financial difficulties following the prolonged legal proceedings. Some families have reportedly sold land to meet legal expenses.

The collective has opened a joint account at the Hatton National Bank’s Hulftsdorp branch to receive donations and said monthly account statements would be published online to ensure transparency.