Sri Lanka, June 3 -- A Supreme Court three-judge-bench today unanimously refused leave to appeal and dismissed a Fundamental Rights application filed by five convicts in the high-profile Krishanthi Kumaraswamy abduction, rape and murder case, whose conviction dates back to 1998.

The petitioners, including the first accused Somaratna Rajapaksha, sought relief on the grounds that they have been on death row for several years. They argued that if they were not to be executed, they should be considered for a Presidential pardon or have their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

The Fundamental Rights application was supported by President's Counsel Manohara de Silva. In their submissions, the petitioners claimed that the prolonge...