17 years RI for rape case suspects

Sandasen Marasinghe

COLOMBO: Colombo High Court Judge Upali Abeyratne yesterday sentenced two persons to 17 years rigorous imprisonment who were convicted for raping a garment factory employee. The Court also ordered the convicts to pay Rs 200,000 compensation to the victim.

The Court convicted T. Sumanadasa Silva alias Mahathun and K.A. Nimal Malimbada for abducting a 19-year-old girl on April 7, 1985 and raping her on the same day. According to the evidence the girl had been abducted from her boarding place at Hena Road, Mount Lavinia to a cemetery nearby and raped by these two.

Evidence had revealed that the victim had been boarded with her two sisters and another friend in a room covered with wooden planks. Even the door was made out of the planks and inside the room was visible through the gaps of the planks.

The two convicts had broke in the room and abducted the victim to a cemetery before they raped her. The Court sentenced each to 17 years RI. The Court imposed a fine of Rs 12,500 on each and another five and half years RI in default.

The Court issued open warrant on first convict since he was absconding the Court. The Court also ordered the Katunayake International Air Port superintendent to prevent convict Thuiyanan Sumanadasa Silva leaving the Country.