Malé | Raajje24 — The Criminal Court has released Janaka Prasanna Perera, a Sri Lankan national accused of fatally stabbing a fellow Sri Lankan chef at a Maldives resort in 2018, following a ruling that insufficient evidence exists to secure a conviction.
The incident occurred at Eh’laidhu Resort in Alif Dhaal Atoll, where Perera was charged with intentional homicide involving a sharp object after the death of 26-year-old chef Pathum Dilshan de Silva Agampodi. Although Perera initially confessed to the stabbing during a remand hearing, he later retracted his confession, claiming self-defence and pleading not guilty.
The court scrutinized the confession and determined that it was made without Perera having legal counsel present or being informed of the consequences, rendering it inadmissible as evidence. Additionally, the prosecution was unable to present witness testimony because several key witnesses had returned to Sri Lanka and could not be located, despite concerted efforts by Maldivian authorities and international cooperation with Interpol.
Given the lack of corroborating evidence or witness statements, the court ruled that a conviction could not be established. Although the charges remain formally in place, the decision has resulted in Perera’s release after spending six years in custody.
This case highlights challenges faced by the Maldivian judicial system in prosecuting crimes involving foreign nationals, especially when key witnesses are outside the country. It underscores the importance of legal safeguards surrounding confessions and the need for international collaboration in criminal investigations.
