Suspect sentenced to 16 years RI for rape

Panadura Provincial High Court Judge Damith Thotawatte, who heard the Bekkegama rape case in absentia of the accused, found him guilty of the crime, yesterday. The suspect was accused of raping an underage girl at a house in Bekkegama, Panadura, on December 28, 2012. He was sentenced to 16 years Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) after being ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 25,000, in addition to a compensation of Rs. 200,000 to the victim.

It was revealed that six other warrants for similar offences had been issued for the suspect’s arrest previously as well.