Badulla High Court Judge Jeyaram Trotsky sentenced Member of Parliament Chaminda Wijesiri to one and a half years of simple imprisonment on July 28, after finding him guilty of wrongful restraint, assault causing hurt, and criminal intimidation by threatening two individuals with death.
In the case heard against three defendants, including MP Chaminda Wijesiri, the second accused, Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, received a one-and-a-half-year simple imprisonment sentence. The third accused, Rasika Karunatilake—a Ministerial Security Division (MSD) police officer serving as his bodyguard—was given a one-month simple imprisonment sentence suspended for 10 years.
Delivering the sentence, High Court Judge Jeyaram Trotsky noted that this case could have been settled either in the Magistrate’s Court or through a Mediation Board. He further remarked that the third accused, Rasika Karunatilake, had served 33 years in the police force without facing a single charge, earning 71 letters of commendation, and had served in war-affected areas such as Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Kilinochchi.
The judge also stated that submissions by defense counsel revealed officer Karunatilake was due to retire shortly, emphasizing that the imposed sentence would not jeopardize his retirement benefits.
Delivering the judgment, High Court Judge Jeyaram Trotsky stated:
“The first accused in this case is deceased. The second accused is a Member of Parliament. Certain MPs hide behind privileges in Parliament to snatch the mace and run, engage in brawls, and throw chili powder. But the real problem arises when they engage in such acts outside Parliament. How can these actions be tolerated? No one approves of such incidents. The punishment handed down by the court serves as an example to society, and the legislature is present here today.
The police officer who is an accused here has completed 34 years of service. As a bodyguard, one must prevent the VIP from causing harm to the public.”
On July 25, High Court Judge Jeyaram Trotsky found the second accused, Chaminda Wijesiri, guilty on four counts—including wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, and criminal intimidation by threatening two individuals with death. The third accused, MSD officer Rasika Karunatilake, was found guilty of wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation.
