Sri Lanka Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentences in Vithiya Murder Case

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today (06) upheld the death sentences imposed on four convicts, including notorious accused “Swiss Kumar,” in connection with the 2015 abduction, gang rape, and murder of Pungudutivu schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vithiya — a case that sparked widespread outrage across Jaffna and the country.

The verdict was delivered by a five-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena after hearing appeals filed by the convicted individuals seeking acquittal from the charges.

However, the Supreme Court also ordered the acquittal of two other accused whose convictions and sentences were overturned.

At the time the judgment was delivered, three of the convicts who had been sentenced to death appeared before court via Zoom technology.

The case relates to the abduction, gang rape, and murder of 18-year-old schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vithiya, who was attacked while returning home from school in Pungudutivu, Jaffna, on or around May 13, 2015.

Following investigations, the Attorney General filed indictments against several accused, including “Swiss Kumar,” before a Trial-at-Bar comprising a three-judge bench of the Jaffna High Court.

In 2017, the Trial-at-Bar found seven accused guilty and sentenced them to death.

The convicted individuals subsequently filed appeals before the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the verdicts and sentences.

It was also noted during the appeal proceedings that one of the convicted individuals had died while the case was pending before the Supreme Court.

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