The Hirunika Premachandra appeal against her conviction and three-year prison sentence will be heard by the Court of Appeal on August 6.
The Hirunika Premachandra appeal against her conviction and three-year rigorous prison sentence will come before the Court of Appeal on August 6.
The case relates to a 2015 incident involving a young man who worked at a shop in Dematagoda. He was allegedly abducted, assaulted and unlawfully detained.
The Colombo High Court later found former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra guilty of the charges. On June 28, 2024, the court sentenced her to three years of rigorous imprisonment. It also imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000.
Premachandra subsequently filed an appeal seeking to overturn the judgement and secure her release.
The Court of Appeal took up the Hirunika Premachandra appeal today, July 6. Justices P. Kumaran Ratnam and Pradeep Hettiarachchi comprised the bench hearing the matter.
During proceedings, Premachandra’s lawyer informed the court that President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando would appear on her behalf. The lawyer then requested a date for the court to examine the appeal.
Meanwhile, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing for the Attorney General, also requested an early hearing date.
After considering submissions from both sides, the Court of Appeal ordered that the appeal be heard on August 6.
