News
Hirunika’s judgment: Bail application to be filed pending appeal
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
Lawyers will file a bail application, pending an appeal against the judgment sentencing former MP Hirunika Premachandra to a three year jail term, after being found guilty of abducting a youth.
The bail application would be filed during the upcoming week.
Ms Premachandra was sentenced by Colombo High Court Judge, Amal Ranaraja to three years rigorous imprisonment for abducting a youth who was working in a shop at Dematagoda and illegally detaining him.
She was found guilty of 18 chargers against her.
Hirunika Premachandra, head down, at the Colombo High Court premises. Pic by Akila Jayawardena
In addition to the three year RI term a fine of Rs. 20,000 for each of the 18 charges was imposed. Failure to pay the fine could result in a further six month jail term.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
Mr. Bandara said that for the offence of misusing parliamentary powers the accused can be imprisoned for a full jail term of 69 years.
He added that as the charge could not be considered as light, a message must be given to the public and requested that maximum punishment be given.
As eight more accused, involved in the incident, pleaded guilty, they were given a suspended sentence. Ms Premachandra, the ninth accused, did not plead guilty.
A youth identified as Amila Priyankara was abducted on December 21, 2015, and illegally detained in an attempt to resolve a family dispute.
| I am happy that there is a law in the country Amila Priyankara, the youth who was abducted by former MP Hirunika Premachandra, yesterday, said that he believed that the former MP had abused her parliamentary powers. Mr. Priyankara, commenting after the judgment said now Ms Premachandra would understand that the country has a law. “I am very happy but the court case dragged on for nine years. During this period I could not freely engage in work. I had to change jobs four times. If I had obtained some compensation through the court ruling it would have given me some relief. Attention was not given to this matter,” he said. He added that his son too could not go to school due to the incident. “However this judgment is a good example to remind people before committing a wrongdoing that there is a law in the country,” he said. “ Ms Premachandra had the opportunity to settle the matter amicably, however she went ahead with the court case saying that she has power. In the end she was sentenced,” he added. “This incident affected my mental status. Everyone should know that the law of the country is being implemented”. | |
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