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Ex-politico's daughter sentenced

by Indeewara Thilakarathne

A member of a powerful political family was yesterday handed a jail term after being convicted for ill-treating a child domestic.

Bhoopa Vishaka Weerasinghe, daughter of late Nanda Ellawala, the political giant of Sabaragamuwa, was sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of torturing 10-year-old Nirosha Ramalingam. She was also ordered to pay Rs. 105,000 as compensation to the victim by High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya.

The trial which caused ripples in political circles commenced before Colombo High Court on March 25, 2000 and concluded on March 25, 2002. The convict is also the daughter of former Ratnapura District PA Parliamentarian Surangani Ellawala and sister of late Nalanda Ellawala, ex- MP.

Bhoopa Vishaka Weerasinghe was indicted by the Attorney General under the Penal Code Amendment Act No. 22 of 1995, Section 308 A (2) for wilfully ill-treating and brutally torturing Ramalingam alias 'Mala' at Weerasinghe's residence at Madiwala between June 29, 1998 to June 26, 1999.

After trial, Court found Weerasinghe guilty of the three charges punishable under the said Section Amendment Act of the Penal Code.

According to the judgement, Weerasinghe was found guilty of wilfully ill treating the girl by pinching her hands, slapping her cheeks and placing a heated knife on her hand causing burn injuries. She was also found guilty of slapping the victim and assaulting her on the chest.

The Court ordered Weerasinghe three years' rigorous imprisonment on each count to be served concurrently. The Court also ordered her to pay Rs. 105,000 (Rs. 35,000 per count) as compensation to the victim.

Earlier Nirosha in evidence said she was subjected to a series of torture by her employer "Vishaka Nona" at her Madiwela house. Nirosha said she was brought to Weerasinghe's residence as a domestic aide when she was 10 and had been employed for five years.

Describing the harassment and torture she underwent at the hands of "Vishaka Nona" Nirosha said she used to always grumble and find fault with her.

Very often Weerasinghe had treated her rudely, slapped her face and pinched her hands and body. Her duties included washing, house keeping, cleaning the toilet, watering the plants and looking after the children. She was paid Rs. 500 a month, Nirosha said.

Weerasinghe had also placed a heated knife on Nirosha's hand torturing her. The JMO also submitted a detailed report in relation to the victim's allegations. During one stage of the trial, Court had to issue warrants on the Director Kalutara Hospital for failing to submit vital documents in this case.

Meanwhile Hultfsdorp sources indicated that an appeal challenging her conviction was filed in the Court of Appeal yesterday.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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