Slow boat to justice
By Sinniah Gurunathan
Nearly 10 years after a boat tragedy killed some 50 people, an eastern court has sentenced the steersman to five years jail for negligently and rashly steering under the influence of liquor.

" This sentence should be a lesson to all persons who are at the wheel under the influence of liquor and those who overload their boats in a manner that might lead to tragedy," High Court Judge J.Visvanathan said as he sent boatman S. Thiyagarajah to jail.

The tragedy took place on January 25,1993 in midsea between Trincomalee and Mutur.

More than 50 people were feared drowned but only 13 bodies were recovered and the boatman was indicted on 13 charges. The judge gave him five years jail for each of the 13 charges but the sentence will run concurrently meaning that the total jail term will be five years.

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