Court sentences mother to 7 years rigorous imprisonment for attempting to sell newborn

5 June 2025 06:02 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

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By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, June 5 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe today sentenced a 46-year-old mother to seven years of rigorous imprisonment after finding her guilty of attempting to sell a two day old infant for Rs. 75,000.

The High Court Judge also imposed an additional fine of Rs. 20,000 on the accused.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, the convict, along with her husband, had operated an illegal detention centre. A woman who had come to this facility was allegedly coerced into delivering her baby there without medical supervision, with the intention of selling the newborn.

Following the birth, the accused attempted to sell the infant to a female police sergeant at Police Headquarters for Rs. 75,000. The transaction was facilitated through an undercover police officer posing as a buyer, during which the accused was apprehended by police officers.

Considering all the evidence, the High Court Judge held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond any reasonable doubt.

Highlighting the seriousness of the crime, the judge noted that every child in society deserves equal protection and that the sentence imposed was intended to ensure that justice is served appropriately.

Comments - 8

wickrama Wijayasiri Thursday, 05 June 2025 07:02 PM

Great decision. Now, what will the children do without their mother? The issue is that people are desperate and poor. The learned judge should have addressed the problem, not the symptom. Meanwhile, the social services department and the police received 'additional business' to justify their existence.

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Dr Sajith Supporter Friday, 06 June 2025 03:26 PM

Is this the same judge that freed Namal from the money laundering case?

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Adwani Thursday, 05 June 2025 09:06 PM

"Highlighting the seriousness of the crime, the judge noted that every child in society deserves equal protection and that the sentence imposed was intended to ensure that justice is served appropriately" When every Child in society deserves equal protection, by sentencing the Mother to 7 years imprisonment, will the Child get what the newborn deserves???????

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Cassie Thursday, 05 June 2025 09:09 PM

The child was unwanted and the mother decided to profit from the situation. That's what the court is conveying. It is not appropriate to keep a child with a parent who does not love them or care for them. She should have given the child to her extended family to raise if she didn't want her child. Curious also about the circumstances of her pregnancy and who the child's father is.

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Rip Winkle Thursday, 05 June 2025 10:26 PM

It's very possible that the mother of the infant lives in poverty and decided that the newborn would be better off with another couple, while she could use the money on her previous children. If this is actually the case, the punishment handed to her is beyond ridiculous. Sincerely hope a kind lawyer will take on her case pro-bono and appeal.

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Cassie Friday, 06 June 2025 02:53 AM

Rip Winkle poor people don't sell their children. They somehow manage to raise them. This woman lacks love for the child and should not have made money off her child. This is how child trafficking is done and she endangered her child. She deserves what she got.

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A Supporter of Justice for All Friday, 06 June 2025 12:07 PM

I do agree with Rip Winkle; The learned Judge has not considered all the aspects.

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A Supporter of Justice Friday, 06 June 2025 03:18 AM

Is this a case of miscarriage of justice?

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