A private bus driver, who was found guilty of causing an accident by driving recklessly and at high speed, killing two persons and grievously injuring some other passengers, was yesterday sentenced to 12 year rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court.
In addition to the sentence, he was ordered to pay a fine of Rs.18,000 and ordered to pay a compensation of Rs.150,000 to the relatives of the deceased due to the incident.
Furthermore, the accused was ordered to pay another Rs.100, 000 to the Victim and Witness Protection Fund.
Following a lengthy trial, Colombo High Court Judge Namal Balalle observed that the prosecution had proved the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.
After considering the submissions made by Attorney Asitha Wipulanayake who appeared for the first accused, the Colombo High Court Judge ordered to sentence him to 12 years rigorous imprisonment for the convicted four charges and acquitted and released him from five other charges.
The second accused, the owner of the bus in the case was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and that sentence was suspended for 15 years.
He was ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 21,000 and ordered to pay a compensation of Rs.250,000 to the relatives of the deceased due to the incident and also ordered to pay another Rs.200,000 to the Victim and Witness Protection Fund.The Attorney General had filed indictments in the Colombo High Court against two accused for causing an accident by driving recklessly and at high speed, killing two persons and grievously injuring some other passengers who were travelling in the bus, on January 10 in 2007 in the Mirihana area.
Dilshan Tharaka