For the first time in history, Sri Lanka conducted prosecution via video conferencing for a sexual harassment case of two female tourists, a statement issued today said.
The Attorney General’s Department (AG) last week permitted the Kandy High Court to proceed with a prosecution on sexual harassment of two female travellers via video conferencing.
On 14 April 2016, the two British girls were sexually harassed in Kandy and the suspect was identified by the victims in an identification process held at the magistrate court under the case No. B/38162.
Subsequently, the suspect was indicted at the Kandy High Court under the case 285/2017.
However both victims were unable to fly down from London for the prosecution scheduled on 23, 24 and 25 at the Kandy High Court and upon a request from the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, the AG’s Department permitted to conduct the prosecution through video conferencing.
The suspect was charged on 6 counts. Evidence from the second victim was obtained through skype video call. After successfully submitting evidence the suspect pleaded guilty on all charges.
Kandy High Court Judge Lalith Ekanayake imposed 5-year rigorous imprisonment for each charge and by considering the facts highlighted by the defence and state councillors he was ordered to complete his 30 years sentence in 5 years concurrently.
British High Commission in Sri Lanka, High Commission of Sri Lanka in London and Commonwealth Office in London, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, AG’s Department of Sri Lanka and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka together with Police Tourist Division of Sri Lanka facilitated the process handled by Kandy Police.