(Lanka-e-News -21.Feb.2025, 11.10 PM) Former Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Lalith Jayasinghe has been sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 50,000 for allegedly facilitating the escape of Mahaligam Sashikumar, also known as Swisskumar, the prime suspect in the kidnapping, rape, and murder of schoolgirl Shivaloganathan Vidya.
The verdict was delivered today (20th) by Vavuniya High Court Judge M.M. Mihir.
Additionally, the court ruled that if Jayasinghe fails to pay the Rs. 50,000 fine, he will serve an extra six months in prison with simple labor.
On May 13, 2015, 18-year-old Shivaloganathan Vidya, a schoolgirl from Pungudutivu, Jaffna, was abducted, raped, and murdered. Following the incident, local residents apprehended the suspect, Swisskumar, and handed him over to the police. However, at the time, Lalith Jayasinghe, who was serving as the Northern Province SDIG, allegedly ordered the suspect’s release, allowing him to escape.
In 2017, following an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into Jayasinghe’s involvement in aiding the suspect’s escape, he was arrested and produced before the Kayts Court.
Delivering today’s verdict, Judge Mihir stated that the allegations against Lalith Jayasinghe had been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
This is not the first time Lalith Jayasinghe has been accused of misconduct. While serving as SDIG, he allegedly attempted to suppress the inclusion of then Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara’s name in the B report related to the Kahawatta shooting incident.
This was later confirmed in court by Police Inspector Lalith Pushpakumara, who was the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Kahawatta Police Station at the time. The revelation was made before Ratnapura High Court Judge Rohan Jayawardhana.
As for the Vidya murder case, seven suspects have already been sentenced to death by the Jaffna High Court for their involvement in the brutal crime.
With today's ruling, the case has taken another significant turn, bringing some measure of justice for the victim and her family.
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by (2025-02-21 18:22:28)
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