10 February 2016 :

Seven persons have been sentenced to death by the Tangalle High Court over a murder reported in 1989. The order was issued by the Tangalle Provincial High Court Judge Sujatha Alahapperuma.
The accused had been indicted on charges of murdering a 62 year old person during the 1989 JVP riots. Charges were filed against 9 persons however two suspects had died during the court trial period and the case was heard against the rest of the suspects.
NewsRadio court correspondent said two out of remaining seven suspects had absconded courts and the sentence was given in absentia.