Sentenced for making teacher to kneel

Former North-Western Provincial Councillor Ananda Sarath Kumara, found guilty of the charges of humiliating a teacher by forcing her to kneel down and attempting to assault her, was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment suspended for seven years.

He was also fined Rs.50,000 by the Puttalam High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando and ordered to pay Rs.300,000 as compensation to the aggrieved party.

Mr. Kumara was accused of having forced himself into t he Nawagaththegama Navodya College on June 14, 2013 before verbally abusing Priyani Susila Herath the teacher in charge of discipline. He had made her kneel in his presence for having punished his daughter. The accused was charged under section 486 and 483 of the Pe- nal Code.

This case was originally heard in the Anamaduwa Magistrate’s Court and was later transferred to the Puttalam High Court by Puttalam District Judge and Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake. Indictment was filed by the AG on August 1, 2013 as a matter of urgency to be taken up in the Puttalam HC.