The Colombo High Court on Wednesday (06 Dec.) sentenced the driver of a private bus who was found guilty of fatally running over three persons in 2007, to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The relevant order was issued by Colombo High Court Judge Namal Balalle, when the case was taken up in court this morning.

The court further imposed a fine of Rs. 18,000 on the accused, while he was also ordered to pay a compensation fee of Rs. 150,000 to two close relatives of two of the deceased, together with a fee of Rs. 100,000 towards the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses.

In the event the accused fails to pay the aforementioned fines and fees, High Court Judge Namal Balalle ordered that his sentence be further extended by 54 months.

The driver was found guilty of reckless driving and fatally running over three persons in Mirihana seventeen years ago, on 10 January 2007. 

Meanwhile, the court also imposed a 15-months sentence suspended for 15 years on the owner of the bus in question, who was named the second defendant in the case.

Moreover, the court also imposed a fine of Rs. 21,000 against the owner of the bus. The court also ordered that the owner of the bus pay Rs. 250,000 in compensation to the families of the deceased, along with a fee of Rs. 200,000 towards the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses.