Anuradhapura High Court Judge Dr. Nalin de Hewawasam sentenced a 70-year-old doctor to 15 years in prison for raping a young mother under the pretext of removing an Intrauterine Device (IUD).
Anuradhapura High Court Judge Dr. Nalin de Hewawasam sentenced a 70-year-old doctor to 15 years in prison for raping a young mother under the pretext of removing an Intrauterine Device (IUD).
The judge also ordered the convicted doctor of Thisawewa, Anuradhapura, to pay the victim Rs. 1.5 million in compensation, failing which he would face an additional three-year prison term.
Additionally, a Rs. 100,000 fine was imposed, with a one-year extension to his sentence if unpaid.
Judge Hewawasam said that the prosecution had proven the charges beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the doctor’s conviction. The case stemmed from an incident at the accused’s private medical center in Thisawewa, where the 25-year-old victim had sought IUD removal. After dismissing other patients, the doctor allegedly raped her under false pretenses.
Defense counsel Kalinga Ravindu expressed shock at the verdict, maintaining his client’s innocence and citing the doctor’s 40-year unblemished medical career.
The accused, previously arrested and released on bail, had served at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and Ranawarawa Hospital.
The Attorney General filed indictments on April 21, 2025, transferring the case to the High Court after preliminary hearings. State Counsel Lakmali Dissanayake represented the prosecution.
