Death Sentence for Man Convicted in Schoolboy’s Murder

 

Tragic Incident in Passara Ends in Conviction

A man charged with the murder of a 16-year-old schoolboy by pushing him out of a moving trishaw was sentenced to death by the Badulla High Court. The judgment was delivered by High Court Judge Prasanna Alwis, bringing a nearly decade-long legal process to a close.

The Crime: A Funeral Journey Turns Fatal

The incident took place on April 9, 2014, in the Passara area. Francis Sudarshan, a schoolboy from the region, was travelling in a trishaw along with three others after attending a funeral. An argument reportedly broke out among the passengers during the journey. In the midst of the altercation, the accused, Ratnayaka Mudiyanselage Heenbanda, under the influence of alcohol, violently pushed Francis out of the moving vehicle.

The teenager suffered severe injuries from the fall and was rushed to the Badulla General Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The Trial: Years Later, Justice Takes Its Course

During the course of the trial, the court heard eyewitness accounts and reviewed forensic evidence. State Counsel Chirasthi Seneviratne, appearing for the prosecution, presented the case detailing how the accused’s reckless and violent act led to the death of the boy.

The trishaw driver, Ajith Bandara Attanayake, who had initially been indicted as the first accused in the case, was acquitted of all charges due to lack of evidence proving his direct involvement in the boy’s death.

Verdict: Death Sentence for Heenbanda

After considering the evidence, the court found Heenbanda guilty of murder and imposed the death sentence. The ruling reflects the gravity of the crime and the irreversible consequences of reckless violence under the influence of alcohol.

Community Reaction: A Long-Awaited Closure

The sentencing has brought a sense of closure to the victim's family and the local community, who have waited years for justice. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the tragic consequences that can result from alcohol-fueled violence and uncontrolled aggression.