Lankan jailed for burning down own restaurant

A Sri Lankan man who set his restaurant ablaze to swindle almost pounds 390,000 in compensation to pay off his debts has been jailed for three-and-a-half years in Ireland.

Meril Fernando, 46, was last November found guilty of starting a fire at the Quasi Lanka restaurant at the Dungarvan Shopping Centre in the town on or about October 8, 2009. The leaseholder of the premises was the accused’s wife, Lynne.

Fernando, who is originally from Sri Lanka but is an Irish citizen, collapsed after his trial in November and was removed to hospital in the custody of the prison services.

He is said to suffer from cardiac problems.

Judge Rory McCabe yesterday sentenced Fernando to five years in prison for the “serious offence”. However, the judge took his medical condition and previous good behaviour into consideration and suspended the final 18 months. He recognised that the restaurateur ran up some “serious debts” and embarked on a “venture to overcome his financial difficulties”. The judge recommended that Fernando receive any medical treatment deemed necessary while he is incarcerated.

- Irish Independent