A 48-year-old man was sentenced to 21 days’ imprisonment and fined Rs. 1,500 by the Nikaweratiya Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (26) after pleading guilty to unlawfully possessing 4 litres of petrol.
The accused was produced before court by Kobeigane Police under Petroleum Products (Regulation and Control of Supplies) Act, No. 34 of 1979, which during proceedings, the suspect admitted to the charge.
The attorney appearing for the defence told court that the petrol had been kept for use in a grass-cutting machine to clean the premises of the suspect’s house ahead of an almsgiving scheduled for Saturday (29).
The defence emphasized that the fuel was not intended for sale or illegal distribution, and submitted a letter from the chief incumbent of a local temple to confirm that the religious event was to be held.
Counsel also argued that while consumers are permitted to possess petrol under the law, the Act does not clearly specify a permissible quantity, raising legal concerns regarding the charge.
However, the magistrate, considering the facts and the accused’s guilty plea, proceeded to impose the sentence. (NewsWire)