A suspect in the murder of a 09-year-old girl in May 2022 has been sentenced to 27 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The verdict was issued by Panadura High Court Judge Saman Kumara when the case was taken up for hearing today.
The justice also ordered the suspect to pay Rs. 3 million in compensation to the mother of the deceased child.
The judge further said that in the event, the suspect fails to pay the compensation, he will be issued a suspended sentence of another 6 ½ years.
The suspect has been sentenced under charges of manslaughter and abduction of the child from the mother.
The child was murdered after allegedly being drowned in a swamp in the Atulugama area in Panadura.
The suspect had lured the child into a forest area while her mother had visited a nearby grocery store.
As the child had screamed out during the attempt to molest her, the suspect is reported to have allegedly drowned her in a swamp out of fear.
Investigations have revealed that the suspect was a friend of the child’s father who had visited her residence regularly. (NewsWire)