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7 accused in Kandy acid-throwing case get prison sentences of up to 70 years
Seven persons found guilty in the Kandy District Lalith Ambanwala acid attack case have been given prison terms ranging from 10 to 70 years.
The seven are former Education Deputy Director Don Ananda Munasinghe; accountant Ananda Weerasinghe; M. Razik Mohamed Rihan; H. S. Mohamed Shafi; H. G. O. L. M. Mohamed Nilfer; M. J. M. R. Ifrul Rahuman, and M. H. M. Imtias. They were charged with causing grievous hurt to Audit Superintendent Lalith Ambanwala and attempting to threaten his life on May 20, 2002, at Asgiriya, Kandy.
Central Province High Court Judge Preethi Padman Surasena said this was a landmark case and that the sentencing should send a message to all public servants that the State was determined to stamp out corruption and crime and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all citizens.
In his evidence, Lalith Ambanwela said he joined the Education Service in 1979 and became Audit Officer of the Education Department in 2001. He said Education Director Ananda Munasinghe who had once been his audit instructor, came seeking his help regarding a “problem.” He was accompanied by accountant Ananda Weerasinghe. The two said there was an audit enquiry and that they needed Mr. Ambanwela’s assistance.
Ananda Munasinghe told Mr. Ambanwela that the audit inquiry related to the Teacher Service Training Programme and the years between and including 1998 and 2001. Mr. Ambanwela said that before he joined the Education Department a Mrs. Amitha Senanani was auditing the Education Department accounts.
In 2001, there was another audit inquiry into a sum of Rs.1,720,000 that was to be spent on the purchase of computers. Subsequent to the enquiries, Ananda Weerasinghe was indicted. Later, Weerasinghe abused Mr. Ambanwela when the two met at the Kandy Secretariat. This was followed by threatening telephone calls. Mr. Ambanwela said he even received threatening calls on New Year’s Day. He did not go to the Police but informed his superior at the Department.
Mr. Ambanwela told court that he lived in Lewella, Kandy, and that he left the office twice a day – once to pick up his child to take him to school, and the second time to head home after work.
On May 21, 2001, he left the office after 4 p.m. and set out for home from near the Kandy Clock Tower. He took the road that goes past the Police barracks. He noticed a cream-coloured three-wheeler following his car. At the turn-off to the Asgiriya Stadium, he heard a voice calling out “Ado.” He turned and saw Mohammed Nilfer. The next moment, Nilfer threw a liquid in his face that caused a burning sensation. He stopped the car and screamed for help. Passers-by then rushed him to hospital. A number of witnesses gave evidence at the trial.
The case was first heard in the Kandy Magistrate’s Court, in the old Court House, before Chief Magistrate C. V. Rajapakse. The case was next heard in the Kandy High Court, with High Court Judge Nalin Perera presiding
Speaking after the judgment and sentencing last week, Mr. Ambalwela, who lost one eye in the acid attack, told the Sunday Times that he now felt as if he had 100 eyes.
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