Twelve suspects, including a leader of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance, are set to face trial in Sri lanka for the murder of a British tourist in 2011.
The High Court here said the trial would begin on December 2 over the murder of Khuram Shaikh.
Shaikh, a British tourist was murdered while his Russian girlfriend was sexually assaulted in December 2011 in the southern resort of Tangalle.
The British government had been pressurising Sri Lanka for faster legal proceedings. Both British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Charles had raised the issue with Lankan authorities during last week's CHOGM summit.
Sri Lanka has, however, said the slow proceeding was not caused by any political interference.
The suspects pleaded not guilty at today's hearing. They are currently out on bail.
