MP Jagath Manuwarna reacts emotionally to the death sentence imposed on 12 individuals over the murder of Amarakeerthi Athukorala, calling the ruling painful while urging respect for the judicial process and legal remedies.
Parliamentarian Jagath Manuwarna has spoken out following the court’s decision to sentence 12 individuals to death over the killing of MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala during the Galle Face struggle. As someone who actively participated in the protest movement, he described the ruling as personally heartbreaking and deeply distressing.
Highlighting the nature of the judgment, Manuwarna noted that the decision was delivered by a three judge bench through a divided verdict rather than a unanimous ruling. He emphasized that he sincerely regrets the death of Amarakeerthi Athukorala and believes such violence should never occur within a people’s struggle.
At the same time, he argued that the killing did not take place in isolation. According to him, it followed a chain of escalating tensions and incidents, including attacks on protesters earlier that day by politicians. He stressed that the broader political context of the Galle Face protest movement must also be understood when examining the events.
Respecting the authority of the judiciary, Manuwarna stated that court decisions based on evidence cannot be overturned through public agitation. The only path to challenge such a ruling, he said, is through established legal channels. He suggested that options such as seeking a review before the Court of Appeal remain open to those convicted.
Addressing discussions about a possible presidential pardon, he clarified that while such powers rest with the President, other legal remedies should be explored first. He also rejected attempts to place responsibility on the National People’s Force, asserting that the struggle was a collective civic movement driven by broad public pressure, not the project of a single political party.
