Youth abduction in 2015:
Fails to plead guilty at first instance:
Eight others pleaded guilty at first instance:
Former MP and SJB Women’s Wing leader Hirunika Premachandra was yesterday sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment for alleged involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender jeep, by the Colombo High Court.
Hirunika was found guilty for 18 charges out of the 19 charges filed against her in the indictment by the Attorney General and she was sentenced to 33 years total imprisonment separately for each convicted charge by the Colombo High Court.
The Colombo High Court also ordered to serve the total imprisonment period concurrently. accordingly, the total imprisonment period was limited to three years. In addition to the sentence, a fine of Rs.360,000
imposed against the accused by the Colombo High Court. She was sentenced another six months’ lenient imprisonment for each charge if unable to pay the fines.
Following a lengthy trial, Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja observed that the prosecution was able to prove the allegations against the accused beyond the reasonable doubts.
High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja delivered the verdict in open Court, noting that accused Hirunika Premachandra was found guilty of 18 of the 19 charges filed in the indictment, taking into account the gravity of the offence and all the evidence presented during the trial.
Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara appearing on behalf of the Attorney General made submission before court stating that as the court has decided that the accused is guilty of 18 out of 19 charges, he requested court to give an active prison sentence instead of a suspended prison sentence to the accused.
The DSG further pointed out that when the accused committed the crime, she was a member of parliament and she was elected to parliament by the people’s vote. The other eight defendants pleaded guilty at the first instance, but the accused was not humble enough to admit the crime she committed.
President’s Counsel Anura Maddegoda appearing for the accused made submissions stating that his client, who is a very popular social activist, is given an active prison sentence, her children, who are seven, five and three years old, will be greatly prejudiced. She is a social activist who stood up against various acts of misconduct in this country. Therefore, he sought from court to be given a lenient punishment to his client.
He also informed Court that they expect to file a revision application to Court challenging the judgement delivered by the Colombo High Court.After considering the facts, the Colombo High Court Judge delivered the judgment sentencing her to three years rigorous imprisonment.
Dilshan Tharaka
