The Chilaw High Court today sentenced Jagath Samantha, a member of the Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha and brother of late former State Minister Sanath Nishantha, to five and a half years in prison.
The verdict was delivered by Chilaw Puvagami High Court Judge Naomi Wickramasekera.
The court found Samantha guilty on three charges, including obstructing the duties of then Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretary Dhanasena Surasinghe, unlawful assembly, and attempting to assault him at the Jayathilinaramaya Temple in Karukkuliya on November 24, 2008.
In addition, the court ordered that compensation of Rs. 1 million be paid to the relevant Divisional Secretary.
Former State Minister Sanath Nishantha had been named as the first accused in the case.
However, the case against him was heard in absentia following his death in a car accident on February 25, 2024.
