Anuradhapura Hospital assault case moves to High Court as an ex-soldier pleads not guilty over charges involving a trainee doctor.
Anuradhapura Hospital assault case proceedings have moved before the North Central Provincial High Court, where two indictments were filed against a former army soldier.
The case relates to the serious sexual assault of a paediatric trainee specialist doctor attached to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, an incident that has drawn widespread public attention and controversy.
The indictments were filed before North Central Provincial High Court Judge Indika Attanayake against a former army soldier who had been remanded for more than six months and is now released on strict bail conditions.
The indictments were presented by State Counsel Omaya Nagodawithana of the Anuradhapura High Court, representing the Attorney General.
The accused was charged under Section 345 of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act No. 22 of 1995 and Act No. 16 of 2006, as well as Section 364(1) of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act No. 22 of 1995.
After the indictments were read and filed in court, the accused, through his lawyer, informed the High Court that he denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The indictments were filed against K.B. Madhuranga Rathnayake, a former army soldier and former robe-wearer residing at D-3, Canal Road, Galnewa New Town.
The Attorney General filed the indictments directly before the Anuradhapura High Court without conducting a non-summary preliminary inquiry in the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court, treating the matter as a special case.
A total of 42 witnesses have been named in the case.
They include Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital Consultant Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Sampath Senathunga, Anuradhapura Headquarters Chief Police Inspector R.M. Jayaweera, Officer-in-Charge of the Anuradhapura Headquarters Police Children’s and Women’s Desk Chief Police Inspector Nishani Senaviratne, and Sub-Inspector A.C. Dayananda, the case handling officer of that desk.
A group of doctors and medical staff from the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, along with other civilian individuals, have also been listed as witnesses.
The case exhibits include a mobile phone, a knife, several items of clothing, a bedsheet, several hair samples, a blood sample, and a judicial medical report.
High Court Judge Indika Attanayake ordered that the case be taken up for trial for the first time on July 20.
The court also issued summons on the first and second prosecution witnesses to appear before the Anuradhapura High Court and give evidence on that date.
State Counsel Akila Dalpadadu of the Attorney General’s Department filed the indictments against the accused on behalf of the Attorney General on May 22, 2026.
