Bhikku who poisoned himself after verdict dies

by Sandasen Marasinghe

A Bhikku died in hospital yesterday after swallowing insecticide after he was sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment at the Colombo High Court for raping a 13-year-old girl.

Ven. Bellana Pannaloka Thera who was in a serious condition after poisoning himself with insecticide was rushed to the Colombo National Hospital in a three-wheeler on Monday.

The Thera under the care of a prison officer had swallowed poisoning which was allegedly in his possession while another officer was filling a warrant of commitment in the office of the High Court.

Chief Colombo High Court Judge Rohini Perera on Monday vehemently criticised the crime, before she sentenced him to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment. The Attorney General indicted Ven. Bellana Pannalokha Thera with two counts including raping an under aged girl at Nugegoda between May 1 and June 1, 2001.

According to evidence, the girl who was 13 had been raped when she went to Dhamma school.

The Chief High Court Judge remarked that the victim was a very young child who was studying in grade 8. The thera had behaved in a beastly manner at the time of crime and observed that the case was proved beyond reasonable doubt, the Judge said. When the defence counsel pleaded the Court to impose lesser punishment, State Counsel Anupa de Silva objected stating that the situation has become too dangerous if a girl cannot stay safely in such a place.