A three-member bench of the High Court has issued an order for the case involving the beating death of Member of Parliament Amarakirthi Athukorala and his bodyguard to be heard in open court on the 19th of this month. The bench has instructed the prison authorities to ensure the presence of 37 remanded defendants during the court hearing.

The bench has also directed the issuance of summons to the five defendants currently released on bail, requiring their appearance on the specified date.

Once the case is called, the accused will be handed the charge sheets outlining the charges against them.

Following a request made by the Attorney General to establish a special bench to investigate this incident, the Chief Justice has appointed a three-member special High Court bench. Gampaha High Court Judge Mr. Sahan Mapa Bandara has been designated as the presiding judge, with Negombo High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli and Gampaha High Court Judge Ruwan Pathirana named as the other members of the panel.

The indictment, filed by the Attorney General before the Gampaha High Court, lists 14 charges against the 42 defendants in relation to the beating death of MP Amarakirthi Athukorala and the thefts committed during the incident that occurred in the Nittambuwa area on May 9, 2022.

The charges include intentionally causing damage to Mr. Athukorala's vehicle, resulting in a loss of 45 million rupees, as well as stealing three rings from his hand and a credit card belonging to his wife from his pocket. It is alleged that the defendants also made unauthorized purchases using the stolen credit card.