Former Arachchikattuwa PS Chairman Sentenced to 5½ Years Over Assault Case

The former Chairman of the Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, Jagath Samantha, has been sentenced to five and a half years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of assaulting the Divisional Secretary of Arachchikattuwa.

The Chilaw High Court delivered the verdict today (15), according to court proceedings reported by Ada Derana.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the accused to pay Rs. 1 million as compensation to the victim. The court further ruled that failure to pay the compensation would result in an additional 24-month prison term.

The case was originally filed against both the late Sanath Nishantha and his brother. However, following the death of Sanath Nishantha in a road accident on the Katunayake Expressway on January 25, 2024, only his brother continued to face the proceedings.

The verdict was delivered after the court reviewed evidence presented during hearings held earlier today.