Ex UL official fails to appear before Indian judge for sentencing

A former SriLankan Airlines official, found guilty of insulting the modesty of an employee, failed to appear before an Indian Magistrate today for sentencing.

Lawyers from New Delhi told Daily Mirror that the sentencing of former SriLankan Airlines Regional Manager Lalith De Silva was fixed for today.

He was convicted last year by the Metropolitan Magistrate Court of New Delhi for insulting the modesty of one of his Indian female staff members at the time he was based in New Delhi.

Ajay Verma, the lawyer appearing on behalf of the alleged victim, told Daily Mirror from New Delhi that Lalith De Silva was ordered to appear in court today for the sentencing.

However, lawyers appearing for  Lalith De Silva told the court that flights were not operating to India because of the Covid pandemic as a result of which he could not travel to New Delhi.

SriLankan Airlines had last year issued a statement saying an inquiry had found there was no evidence to justify sexual harassment allegations made by the former employee against the former airline official. SriLankan Airlines also said  that it was compelled to terminate the services of the female employee on disciplinary grounds following the due procedure in terms of laws in India. (Easwaran Rutnam)