COLOMBO: The Colombo High Court has sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment a politician belonging to Sri Lanka’s ruling party on charge of murdering a British-Muslim tourist .

Former Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidana Pathirana and three others were found guilty of the murder of Khuram Sheik and of raping his Russian girlfriend Victoria Alexandrovna and meted rigorous imprisonment on each of the two counts today.

The murder had occurred at a Southern Sri Lankan Tangalle Resort on December 24, 2012.

The verdict was given in the background of Britain urging justice to be meted out.

“We welcome the verdicts and sentences handed down today to those responsible for the murder of Khuram Sheik. We hope that this will bring some closure for his family and friends who have faced a long and difficult fight for justice.

The officials of the Attorney General’s office have shown great professionalism and integrity and we would like to thank them. We will continue to monitor any developments in the case closely,” a statement released by the British High Commission said today.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2014