Teacher interdicted for sexual assault

By Ruparatna Piyadasa ­– Kalutara-Friday, 22 Nov 2013

A teacher attached to a leading school in Kalutara, who is accused of sexual molestation of a 14-year-old boy, has been interdicted by education authorities.                               

The teacher, who has been absconding police arrest after the incident, has since surrendered to Kalutara Police on 19 November.     

Kalutara Police Children and Women’s Bureau OIC, Malka Thushari, and other officers had produced the suspect in Court.  

Kalutara Chief Magistrate, Aruna Aluthge, released the suspect on personal bail of Rs 100,000 and fixed the case for trial on 23 February 2014.                                       

Kalutara Maha Vidyalaya students carried out a protest against the accused teacher. (Ceylon Today Online)              

Tangalle PS Chairman granted bail

By Ishara Ratnakara-Friday, 22 Nov 2013

Former Chairman of the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidanapathirana and six others accused in the murder of British national Khuram Shaikh and gang rape of his companion, Victoria Alexandra, at a date on or near 24 December 2011, pleaded not guilty to 17 charges under which the Attorney General had indicted them in the Colombo High Court, when the case was called up today.

Charges against the defendants were read to them and they entered pleas of not guilty, to all the charges.

When the case was called up before Colombo Chief High Court Judge, Kumudini Wickramasinghe, all the accused, including former Tangalle PS Chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidanapathirana and Lahiru Kelum, Saman Deshapriya, Praneeth Chaturanga, Mohottige Sarath and Chanaka Chaturanga were present in Court.

President’s Counsel, Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for the accused requested the Court to grant them bail as per previous bail conditions set by the Court. The State Counsel requested Court to order fingerprinting of the accused.

The High Court Judge, after due consideration of the request made by both Counsels, ordered the accused to be finger printed and released on previously set bail conditions by Court. Case will be taken up for trial on 2 December, Judge informed the defendants.

Indictment against defendants contains 17 charges relating to the murder of Khuram Shaikh, a British citizen and gang rape of his companion, Victoria Alexandra, at a date on or near 24 December 2011.

Accused were defended by President Counsel, Kalinga Indatissa, advised by a team of lawyers. (Ceylon Today Online)