50 years RI sans parole for rape, murder of 8-year-old

Badulla High Court Judge Tusitha Devapriya Gunasekera this week sentenced a 43-year-old man to 50 years RI without parole, for the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl, on August 13, 2013, in Ellagama, Diyatalawa.

The convict, a friend of the victim’s father, had taken the girl to his house and raped her, whence she died of its consequences. Later, he had put her body into a gunny bag and left it in a jungle area, where it was found by family members looking for the girl gone missing.

Judicial Medical Officer Dr P.H.M.B.K. Herath who was a key witness in the case, testified that extensive injuries caused to the girl’s body due to the brutality of the rape, had caused her death.

The man’s conviction on grounds of culpable homicide, causing grievous hurt came about after an extensive police and medical investigation. The accused at no time showed repentance for the his actions, and maintained he was under the influence of alcohol at the time and could not recollect the incident.

The prosecution was led by State Counsel Akila Dalpadadu and Senior State Counsel Lakmali Karunanayaka, while Attorney Nalin Weerasinghe appeared for the accused.