Pregnant heroin smuggler gets life imprisonment

A pregnant woman who was found guilty to the charges of possessing and smuggling heroin was sentenced to life imprisonment which includes 20 years Rigorous Imprisonment by the Colombo High Court.

P.E. Kumudini who was in remand custody since January 7, 1999 was indicted by the Attorney General and the judgement was to be delivered on August 2 after a prolonged legal process. Delivering the judgment, Colombo High Court Judge P. Padman Surasena asked the accused whether she had anything to say.

Senior Counsel Nihal Gunasinghe who appeared on behalf of the woman informed court that the convict is pregnant and she can not be sentenced to life imprisonment. The judge ordered a comprehensive medical report and adjourned judgement.

According to medical reports, she was 10 days pregnant.