Accused sentenced to 15 years RI for rape

By Dileep Jayasekara

An accused who pleaded guilty of the rape of an underage girl was sentenced to 15 years rigorous imprisonment suspended for 20 years and ordered to pay Rs.1million as compensation to the victim and her child by Hambantota High Court Judge A.N. Janaki De Alwis yesterday.   

The accused a resident of Bogahaindiwewa in Suriyawewa was a father of a child. He had between November 01 and 07, 2015 raped an under aged daughter of a relative. When the girl was taken ill the parents had consulted a doctor to find that she was pregnant. When the Suriyawewa police initiated investigations based on the complaint made by the parents of the victim the accused had surrendered to the police.  

After non summary proceedings the Hambantota magistrate had ordered the accused to stand trial in the high court.When the trial commenced the accused had pleaded guilty.  

During the trial it transpired that the child born to the victim by the accused was blind. The judge ordered the accused to pay the victim Rs. 5000 per month as maintenance till the child reached 18 years of age. State Counsel Gevindu Seneviratne prosecuted.

• When the girl was taken ill the parents had consulted a doctor to find that she was pregnant
• When the Suriyawewa police initiated investigations based on the complaint made by the parents of the victim the accused had surrendered to the police