Thilanga gets two years’ RI

Bail granted pending appeal:

Sarath Malalasekera

COLOMBO: Colombo Additional Magistrate Ajith Anawaratne yesterday sentenced former Sri Lanka Telecom Chairman and Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala to two years rigorous’ imprisonment, when he was found guilty to the charges preferred against him under the Immigration and Emigration Act.

The Magistrate also imposed a fine of Rs.50,000 on Sumathipala. In default of the fine he was further sentenced to six months RI.

Subsequently on an application for bail by President’s Counsel Gamini Marapana, Senior Counsel for Sumathipala, the Magistrate granted bail to Sumathipala pending appeal.

The Magistrate ordered Sumathipala to furnish cash bail in a sum of Rs.10,000 and two bonds of Rs.100,000 each with two sureties.

The Magistrate delivering the order observed that the prosecution had proved the charges against Sumathipala beyond all reasonable doubt.

The Magistrate directed the Registrar of the Court to forward the entire brief to the Colombo High Court. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) charged Thilanga Sumathipala with aiding and abetting Dhammika Amerasinghe, the first accused in the case, to leave the country to witness the 1999 Cricket World Cup in the UK on a forged passport.

The first accused Amerasinghe was killed while being taken to the prison cell in the court premises from Court No. 6 of the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Courts. Deputy Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda with Senior State Counsel Dhammikka Totawatta appeared for the prosecution.

President’s Counsel Gamini Marapana with President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsacularatne, Dr. Harsha Cabraal, Sri Kantha, Naveen Marapana, Wasantha Batagoda instructed by Priyantha Upali Amarasinghe appeared for Sumathipala.