Ex-district judge sentenced to 16 RI for soliciting bribe

The Colombo High Court judge Adithya Patabendige today sentenced former Homagama District Judge Sunil Abeysinghe and his Personal Security Officer PC Mahinda Kithsiri to a 16-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) for soliciting a bribe of Rs. 300,000 in 2013.

The Police Constable was convicted of aiding and abetting. The judge also imposed a fine of Rs.20,000 on both of the convicts and if they fail to pay the fine they will be sentenced to an additional year of rigorous imprisonment.

The Judge also ordered each convict to pay Rs.300,000 as well and if they fail to pay that amount they will be sentenced to another six years of rigorous imprisonment.

The Judge said that allegations against both accused were proved beyond reasonable doubts.

Delivering the verdict, Judge Patabendige also said that considering the damages done for the judiciary and police fields by the two accused, he decided not to give a lesser punishment for these convicts.

The Judge further said that when giving the judgment he also considered the request made by the lawyers representing the Bribery Commission Director General that the punishment should be an example for other state workers to distance from taking bribes.

In May, 2013, the Bribery Commission arrested the former district judge along with his PSO, while receiving a bribe of Rs. 300,000 from a person in Hanwella area to deliver a favourable verdict in a case that was being heard before him. (Manopriya Gunasekera)