Three out of the five who were convicted for the murder of former MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and three others filed appeals with the Colombo High Court today.

Accordingly, Anura Thushara de Mel, Chaminda Ravi Jayanath alias Dematagoda Chaminda and Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Sarath Bandara filed appeals against their convictions and sought they be acquitted and released.

Their appeals will be forwarded to the supreme Court.

Former MP Duminda Silva, who was also convicted, is yet to file appeal. However his lawyers have expressed their intention of appealing against the conviction.

The other convicted individual was tried in absentia. His whereabouts are still unknown.