A’pura doctor rape case Suspect given six-month sentence, suspended for two years for smartphone robbery

Indictment to be served against rape in High Court later  

By Upali Ananda

The suspect, who is alleged to have raped a lady doctor at Anuradhapura Hospital and robbed her of the smartphone belonging to her was sentenced to six months’ compulsory imprisonment and fined Rs. 1,500 by Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Pasindu Wickremaratne when the suspect pleaded guilty to the latter charge. Suspect K.B. Maduranga Ratnayake, of Galnewa in Anuradhapura, was a former soldier.

His sister and another who aided and abetted him to keep the doctor’s smartphone in his possession were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment suspended for two years and fined Rs.1,500  each when they pleaded guilty. The suspects were Shalika Harshani Ratnayaka and Minila Sampath Kumarsinghe of Galnewa New Town.  

The main suspect, after being on remand for more than seven months had been ordered to be released by the Chief Magistrate, but he was not able to fulfil the bail conditions. He was remanded again yesterday in connection with another case against him for possessing a live hand grenade.

Police informed court that the investigation report on the rape of the lady doctor has been referred to the Attorney General to file indictments in the High Court against the suspect.

SI A.C. Dayananda made submissions for the state on the instructions of OIC Women and Children’s Bureau of Anuradhapura Police CI Nishani Seneviratne, while President’s Counsel Kalinga Indratissa watched the interests of the aggrieved party.

The suspect was not represented by a lawyer.