Former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Hirunika Premachandra was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court on Wednesday.
High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja delivered the verdict, finding Premachandra guilty of conspiracy and aiding and abetting the abduction of a youth. She faced 18 charges, with the court imposing a fine of Rs. 20,000 for each charge. Failure to pay the fines will result in an additional six months of imprisonment for each charge.
Premachandra was charged with the abduction, wrongful detention, and assault of a youth named Amila Priyanka Amarasinghe on December 21, 2015. Amarasinghe, who worked at a textile shop in Dematagoda, alleged that a group directed by Premachandra abducted and assaulted him over a relationship with a woman named Chamila Geethani.
Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, representing the prosecution, reminded the court that eight of Premachandraโs supporters had previously pleaded guilty and received suspended sentences and fines. He argued that due to the gravity of the offences, the court had the authority to sentence Premachandra to 69 years of rigorous imprisonment. Bandara emphasized the serious nature of the case, highlighting the abuse of power by Premachandra as a Member of Parliament to resolve a personal dispute.
Bandara stressed that the sentence should not be converted to a suspended sentence, as the defendant needed to understand the gravity of her actions, and society should be made aware of the crime committed. He argued for a punishment that would demonstrate the protection of law-abiding citizens.
Anura Maddegoda PC, representing Premachandra, argued for leniency, citing the impact on her three young children, aged three, four, and five years. He requested the court to consider a non-custodial sentence.
Following the sentencing, Maddegoda announced plans to appeal the decision. Premachandra was taken into custody by prison officials and transferred to the womenโs wing of Welikada Prison.
Previously, eight other individuals involved in the abduction had received suspended sentences, but Premachandra maintained her innocence throughout the case. In a previous hearing, she claimed to have been attending a discussion with former Minister Rajitha Senaratne and an event at the time of the incident. She asserted that one of the accused, who had pleaded guilty, had used her Defender jeep without her consent to carry out the abduction.
