Swiss Embassy Case Ganiya Bannister sentenced to two-year suspended imprisonment

• She was accused of giving false information to embarrass the Govt.

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 

Swiss Embassy employee Ganiya Bannister Francis was yesterday sentenced to two-year imprisonment suspended for five years by Colombo High Court after  she pleaded guilty to the charges relating to making a false claim that she has been abducted and sexually harassed in 2019.

She was further ordered to pay a compensation of Rs.2 million to the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crimes and Witnesses, in addition to the Rs.5,000 fine by Colombo High Court Judge Namal Balalle.
President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa appearing for the accused informed court that his client is pleading guilty to the charges. He moved Court that his client’s health condition and not having previous convictions be considered when imposing a sentence against the accused.

Ganiya Bannister has been accused of giving false information to embarrass the Government and fabricating evidence in her abduction claim.

The Attorney General alleged Ganiya Bannister Francis had made a false claim that on or around November 25, 2019, five persons in a white vehicle abducted her in the Cinnamon Gardens area in Colombo, threatened her with a firearm, detained her for several hours and questioned about CID Inspector Nishantha Silva who had fled the country.

President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa with Senior Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma appeared for the accused. Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara appeared for the Attorney General.