Suspended sentence for possessing hand grenade

Kapila SOMARATNE, Panadura group correspondent

Panadura Provincial High Court judge Kusala Sarojanee Weerawardena sentenced a man to two years’ rigorous imprisonment suspended for 10 years and imposed a Rs10,000 fine when he pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a live hand grenade while travelling in a three wheeler.

He was produced before court by Kalutara Remand Prison officials.

The accused is a companion of Sambaba, a robber in Wadduwa, who was killed during a confrontation with Wadduwa Police three years ago in Weeragama, Wadduwa.

The accused has eight murder and robbery cases pending before the Panadura magistrate and is also a prison escapee.