Two Lankan jailed for 'execution-style' murder in New Zealand

Two Sri Lankans who carried out an "execution-style" murder in retribution for a love affair have been jailed for life terms of at least 17 years.

The two men were convicted at a trial in July, with the jury finding them both guilty of what the Crown described as "an execution-style" slashing of the throat of their countryman, Sameera Madurangana Manikka Battelage, in North Canterbury on February 23 last year. Thuvan Prawesh Sawal, 24, and Mudiyanselage Viraj Wasantha Alahakoon, 35, a jeweller, were convicted of murder and arson at the end of the 21-day trial. Alahakoon was also convicted of assaulting a woman with scissors by cutting her long hair, and assaulting her. The trial was told that Battelage had had a sexual relationship with a woman who Alahakoon knew. The woman gave evidence at the trial before Justice Whata in the High Court in Christchurch. Evidence was given that Battelage had died of a series of wounds to the throat and chest before his body and the house where he lived on an Oxford farm were set alight using petrol that had been taken along by the two attackers. The two had gone with Battelage to the Oxford Workingmen's Club, where they were recorded on security video arriving, drinking together and watching cricket on television on the night of the murder.