Anuradhapura doctor case advances as the victim doctor gives evidence before the High Court, with further testimony scheduled for October 19.
The Anuradhapura doctor case moved forward yesterday, August 28, when the victim doctor testified before the Anuradhapura High Court for the first time.
The case concerns allegations that a former soldier seriously sexually assaulted a trainee paediatric specialist doctor at her official residence within the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.
When the case came before North Central Provincial High Court Judge Indika Aththanayake, the court removed all persons not directly connected to the proceedings from the open courtroom.
Senior State Counsel Himali Jayanetti then led the complainant doctor’s evidence.
Her testimony continued for more than one and a half hours.
Anuradhapura Doctor Case Heard Under Restricted Courtroom Conditions
Senior State Counsel Himali Jayanetti appeared on behalf of the Attorney General during the hearing.
Attorneys Suranga Mohotty and Gayan Siriwardhana represented the accused.
The court was also informed that Attorneys Kujana Banagoda, Madara Wijesinghe, Janith Mahasen and Subhashini Weerakkodi are appearing to protect the victim doctor’s rights.
They are acting under the instructions of President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa.
The Attorney General has filed indictments under Sections 345 and 364(1) of the amended Penal Code over the alleged offence, said to have occurred on or around March 10, 2025.
The case was filed directly before the High Court without first conducting a non-summary preliminary inquiry before the Magistrate’s Court.
State Counsel Akila Dalpadadu of the Attorney General’s Department filed the matter directly before the High Court, treating it as a special case.
Former Soldier Named as Main Accused
The main accused is K.B. Maduranga Ratnayake, a former soldier from Galnewa New Town.
He has separately pleaded guilty to stealing the doctor’s smartphone after the alleged incident.
For that offence, the court previously sentenced him to six months in prison.
Forty-two witnesses have been named in the Anuradhapura doctor case.
They include Specialist Judicial Medical Officer Sampath Senathunga, Anuradhapura Headquarters Chief Police Investigator R.M. Jayawera and Child and Women’s Bureau Officer-in-Charge Nishani Senewiratne.
Several physical and documentary exhibits have also been listed as evidence.
They include a knife, blood samples, hair samples, a mobile phone, GeneTech reports and reports from the Government Analyst.
Further Evidence Scheduled for October 19
The court ordered the relevant institutions to produce the Government Analyst’s report concerning the mobile phone at the next hearing.
Authorities were also ordered to provide the related call analysis report.
Judge Indika Aththanayake adjourned the doctor’s cross-examination until October 19.
The victim doctor and her father, who has been named as the second witness in the case, were ordered to appear again on that date.
Both are expected to provide further testimony as the High Court continues hearing evidence in the case.
