Sri Lanka’s Colombo High Court yesterday sentenced the former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Vaas Gunawardena for five years rigorous imprisonment after he was found guilty of threatening life of Director of Crime Investigations Department (CID) Shani Abeysekara in 2013.
High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga, declaring the verdict, stated that in addition to the sentencing, the accused will be fined Rs. 25.000. If failed to pay the fine, the accused will receive an additional 1 year rigorous imprisonment.
Vass Gunawardena was accused of threatening the life of the then Assistant Superintendent of Police, now the CID Director SP Shani Abeysekara when the former was arrested in connection with the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam in 2013, and obstructing the duties of the police officers.
The Attorney General’s Department filed a case against Gunawardena under six chargers following the complaint made by CID Director Shani Abeysekara.
High Court Judge Kulatunga, declaring the verdict after a lengthy trial, said that the prosecution had proved the charges of death threats against the senior police officer beyond reasonable doubt.
However, the defendant was acquitted of the five charges of obstructing the duty of the police officers as the charges were not proved.
