The first and fourth accused in the Dr. Raja Johnpulle assault and arson case, were found guilty on three counts and sentenced to nineteen and a half years rigorous imprisonment each by the NCP High Court Judge Manjula Tillakaratne yesterday.
They are former UPFA member of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha R. A. Anil Pushpananda and J. M. Nimal Gamini Jayasuriya alias ‘ Poola’.
The other accused B. M. Prasanna Kumara Basnayaka, G. T. Hiran Perera and A. T. M. Ekanayake were acquitted of all changes and released by the High Court Judge the second accused former Provincial council member Palliyaguruge Gamini Perera died during the course of the case.
The first and the fourth accused were sentenced to 7 years RI each and fined Rs. 10,000 and on the count of trespassing into Dr. Johnpulle’s residence and dispensary and the two of them were sentenced to 12 years RI each and fined Rs. 10,000 each on the count of damaging Dr. Johnpulle’s property. In default of the fine they were further sentenced to three months simple imprisonment each.
All accused in this case were indicted on 15 counts including being members of an unlawful assembly with the intent of causing harm to Dr. Raja Christopher Aalagan Johnpulle, tresspass assault and torching his property with the intent of causing harm. Earlier, 15 suspects were inducted in this case before the Anuradhapura chief Magistrate Ruchira Weliwatta and the Magistrate acquitted and discharged 10 of them.