Former Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman – Jagath Samantha has been sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison after being found guilty of assaulting the Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretary.

The judgment was delivered today (May 15) by the Chilaw High Court.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the accused to pay Rs. 01 million in compensation to the Divisional Secretary, warning that failure to pay the compensation would result in an additional 24-month jail term.

The case was initially filed against both the late State Minister Sanath Nishantha and his brother over the assault incident.

However, following the death of Sanath Nishantha in a road accident on the Katunayake Expressway on Jan. 25, 2024, only his brother continued to appear before court proceedings.