7 sentenced to death over Vidya murder

Seven suspects arrested over the rape and murder of Vidya Sivaloganthan have been sentenced to death by a Trial at Bar at the Jaffna High Court.

The three-bench Trial-at-bar include Jaffna High Court Judge Manickavasagar Ilancheliyan, Vavuniya High Court Judge Balendran Shashi Mahendran and Trincomalee High Court Judge Annalingam Premashankar.

This is the first time a court case is heard outside of Colombo before a three bench Trial-at-bar.

NewsRadio Court Correspondent said the mother of Vidya Sivaloganthan was also present at the Jaffna High Court when the verdict of the case was announced.

18 year old Vidya Sivaloganathan was found raped and murdered on the 13 of May in 2015 leading to a protest in the Jaffna town following which the nine suspects were arrested.

Investigations into the case were carried out by the Criminal Investigations Department.