Court warns public servants to be “disciplined and honest”; fake director sentenced

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, Oct. 9 (Daily Mirror) - A man who had posed as veteran film director Somaratne Dissanayake, promising young women opportunities in cinema and television, and who was found guilty of committing sexual abuse and financial fraud, was today sentenced to eight months’ rigorous imprisonment with hard labour, suspended for ten years, by Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama.

The Chief Magistrate noted that the complainants did not seek compensation, and therefore no fine was imposed in this case.

The suspect is a Polgahawela postal worker. Counsel appearing for the suspect requested the court to impose a lenient sentence, noting that the suspect had pleaded guilty and could therefore be considered for reinstatement in government service.

Responding to this request, the Magistrate observed that the public service requires officers who are disciplined, exemplary and honest.

The complaint in this case had been filed through the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The convict was charged with posting obscene material on social media while impersonating another individual and committing sexual abuse.

The Chief Magistrate highlighted that the lenient sentence was imposed in light of the convict’s public apology in court and his guilty plea but reiterated that any future consideration for government service was not permissible.