July 11, Colombo: The Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka today imposed the death penalty on the accused in the high-profile Royal Park murder case setting aside a lighter High Court judgment.

The Appeals Court overturned the 12 year prison term imposed by the Colombo High Court on Shermantha Jude Jayamaha in the murder of 19-year-old Yvonne Jonsson at the luxurious Royal Park Condominiums at Rajagiriya in July 2005.

He was convicted of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced to twelve years rigorous imprisonment and a 50,000 rupee fine.

However, the Attorney General has presented an appeal to the Appeals Court stating that the punishment was not adequate.

A panel of judges comprising President of the Appeals Court Ranjith Silva and Nalin Perera delivered the verdict today imposing the death penalty on Jayamaha.

Police media spokesman Ajith Rohana says this is the first occasion of the Attorney General filing an appeal stating the inadequacy of a verdict of the High court.

The 19-year-old girl was brutally assaulted and killed outside her luxury apartment at Royal Park condominium by the accused who was also 19 at the time.