Death of two:
Boatman fined, gets two years' RI
Kapila SOMARATNE -Panadura group correspondent
A boatman who pleaded guilty to causing the death of two persons in
the Bolgoda lake by riding a boat in a negligent and reckless manner,
was fined Rs 25,000 and imposed a term of two years' rigorous
imprisonment suspended for 10 years by Panadura Provincial High Court
judge Kusala Sarojanee Werawardena last week.
The judge also ordered the accused to pay Rs 50,000 to the family of
the deceased. In this case, the accused Wannakkawatta Waduge Neeroshan
Perera was indicted by the Attorney General with causing the deaths of M
Magilin Fernando and Vidanage Nishantha Fernando of Diggala, Panadura on
April 8, 2007 while they were travelling in the boat named Angula.
According to investigations, the boat was carrying 19 men and women
when it was proceeding to the Kahapola Ferry from Diggala Ferry crossing
the Bolgoda Lake. Due to overcrowding, the boat capsized. Two drowned
and 16 persons were rescued.
State Counsel Dishna Warnakula prosecuted. |