{
  "id": 15982692,
  "title": "Ratnapura killing in 2015: SC issues open warrant for ex-Minister’s arrest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/ratnapura-killing-in-2015-sc-issues-open-warrant-for-ex-ministers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T00:00:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/ratnapura-killing-in-2015-sc-issues-open-warrant-for-ex-ministers-arrest/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2015, during the presidential election campaign, a shooting incident occurred in Kahawatta, Ratnapura, resulting in the death of a supporter of Maithripala Sirisena. Three individuals, all found guilty of their involvement, were sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court. However, they appealed the verdict, which was later overturned by the Court of Appeal, leading to their acquittal and release. The aggrieved party subsequently filed an appeal against this decision.\n\nThe case reached the Supreme Court on October 4, where they issued notices demanding the presence of the three defendants, including former State Minister Premalal Jayasekara, on October 21. The Supreme Court issued an open warrant for Jayasekara's arrest, as he had failed to appear in court. Two other defendants, who did appear in court, were ordered to be remanded.",
  "summary": "A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and comprising Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga, yesterday (21) issued an open warrant for the arrest of former State Minister Premalal Jayasekara, who failed to appear in court. Two other defendants, who appeared before the court, were ordered to be remanded. The case involves […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}