The verdict in the case relating to the murder of former parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala is scheduled to be delivered today.

On 14 January, the Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar deferred the delivery of the judgment in the case until today.

Athukorala, the Polonnaruwa District MP at the time, and his security officer, a Police Constable, were reported dead amid unrest in Nittambuwa during the nationwide violence of 9 May 2022.

Initial reports that evening indicated a shooting incident in the area, following which six injured individuals were admitted to the Wathupitiwala Base Hospital. Hospital sources later confirmed that three had sustained gunshot wounds, while a 27-year-old who was critically injured later died.

According to reports, the MP and his security officer opened fire at an angry crowd of protesters who had blocked the MP’s vehicle, critically injuring two people. The MP and the officer were subsequently found murdered while hiding inside a nearby building.

CCTV footage obtained from a nearby camera showed Athukorala fleeing the scene with his armed security officer. In the aftermath, dozens of suspects were arrested on several occasions in connection with the killing.