1999 Dambulgamuwa shooting case
Current status of the 1999 Dambulgamuwa shooting case
Long-running criminal prosecution arising from a shooting on 14 Dec 1999 during the presidential election campaign in the Matale area. According to the Supreme Court judgment, Samantha Thilak Kumara, aged 20, died from gunshot wounds and Chaminda Sampath Kumara, aged 19, sustained gunshot injuries. Janaka Bandara Tennakoon was later committed for trial and an indictment was filed in the Kandy High Court. The Court of Appeal quashed the non-summary inquiry and resulting indictment in 2020. On 31 Mar 2026, the Supreme Court set aside the Court of Appeal decision, allowing the Attorney General's appeal and restoring the legal effect of the indictment. Tennakoon has NOT been convicted in this case.
What’s happened
The Supreme Court on 31 Mar 2026 held that the Court of Appeal had erred in quashing the second non-summary inquiry and resultant indictment. The Attorney General's appeal was allowed. Questions concerning the reliability and credibility of prosecution witnesses remain matters for the trial court. The case can therefore proceed before the Kandy High Court.
- Court
- Kandy High Court, HC/81/2016; Supreme Court appeal SC/APPEAL/158/2025
- Next hearing / due
- Next hearing not confirmed
Sources (3)
1999 Dambulgamuwa shooting case timeline
- 31 March 2026
Hearing
The Supreme Court (SC/APPEAL/158/2025) allowed the Attorney General's appeal and set aside the Court of Appeal decision that had quashed the non-summary inquiry and resulting indictment, allowing the prosecution to proceed before the Kandy High Court. Tennakoon has not been convicted; questions about witness reliability remain for the trial court.
Court: Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
Sources (1)
- 20 November 2020
Case Dismissed
The Court of Appeal quashed the second non-summary inquiry and resulting Kandy High Court indictment against Tennakoon.
Court: Court of Appeal
Sources (1)