On 3 July 1998, five Sri Lankan soldiers were convicted of the rape and murder of 18 year-old Tamil schoolgirl, Krishanthy Kumarasamy, her mother, 16 year-old brother and a neighbor on 7 September 1996. They were sentenced to death. The judgment, which has been referred to as a "Landmark Judgment", by human rights organizations, came in the wake of constant pressure on the Sri Lankan government by the international community to protect human rights and end the climate of impunity widely enjoyed by the security forces.
On 3 July 1998, five Sri Lankan soldiers were convicted of the rape and murder of 18 year-old Tamil schoolgirl, Krishanthy Kumarasamy, her mother, 16 year-old brother and a neighbor on 7 September 1996. They were sentenced to death. The judgment, which has been referred to as a "Landmark Judgment", by human rights organizations, came in the wake of constant pressure on the Sri Lankan government by the international community to protect human rights and end the climate of impunity widely enjoyed by the security forces.