Susantha Punchinilame


Galgamuwa Vidanalage Susantha Punchinilame is a Sri Lankan politician, originally from Ratnapura and the son of G. V. Punchinilame. He is a member of parliament and a government minister.

Criminal charges

He was the main suspect in the murder of Nalanda Ellawala, a member of parliament who was killed during a shootout between supporters belonging to the United National Party and the People's Alliance in the Kuruwita area on 11 February 1997. However, Punchinilame has been cleared of all charges and was subsequently released on 18 December 2013.
He blamed an innocent herdsman for assaulting him in Agbopura, Trincomalee. By raising privilege issue in parliament he stated that he will use his gun if his security become threatened.