High Court sentences seven fishermen to death for hijacking boat and killing three crew members

The Colombo High Court yesterday (24) sentenced to death seven fishermen convicted of hijacking a fishing boat and killing three other fishermen in 2012.

Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige further sentenced the seven to 29 years of Rigorous Imprisonment.

They were also fined Rs 2,008,500 each.

In October 2012, the suspects hijacked a fishing boat,named Thejan off Tangalle and killed three fishermen aboard and seriously injured several others.

The judge said the charges had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

A woman accused in the case was acquitted and released.

The Attorney General had indicted 11 individuals in this case. Three of them had died during litigation.