24-year imprisonment for sexually abusing 15-year-old boy

By Sumanasiri Gunatilleka

Colombo, May 2 (Daily Mirror) - A Dhamma school teacher who stood indicted with causing grave sexual abuse to a 15-year-old boy was found guilty and sentenced to 24 years' rigorous imprisonment by Monaragala High Court Judge Dr. Damith Nalinda Hewawasam on Thursday (30).

The accused, Urumuttha Gamage Chandana, (47) of Ethimale in Monaragala had in 2015, taken the schoolboy on bicycle to a secret location and sexually abused him.

He stood indicted under two counts and was sentenced to 12 years' rigorous imprisonment under each count, amounting to an aggregate of 24 years' imprisonment to be served concurrently in 12 years.

He was fined Rs.100,000 under each count and ordered to pay Rs.500,000 as compensation to the victim. The accused was sentenced to further one-year simple imprisonment in default of the fine and three-year simple imprisonment in default of the compensation payment.

State Counsel Duminda De Alwis prosecuted, while Attorney at Law Wasantha Bandara appeared for the accused.