By Justice Betrayed: Senior Police Officer Sentenced for Aiding Swiss Kumar’s Escape
The Vavuniya High Court has sentenced Senor Deputy Inspector General of Sabaragamuwa Province, Lalith Jayasinghe, to four years of rigorous imprisonment for helping Mahalingam Sasikumar, also known as Swiss Kumar, escape police custody. Swiss Kumar was the prime suspect in the brutal gang rape and murder of 18-year-old schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vithiya in 2015—a crime that shocked the nation.Senior DIG Jayasinghe was indicted under section 209 of the Penal Code for assisting and harbouring the offender, Mahalingam Shashikumar also known as ‘Swiss Kumar’, with the intention of screening him from legal punishment.
A Horrific Crime That Shook Sri Lanka
On the morning of May 13, 2015, Vithiya, a high school student from Pungudutivu, set out for school as usual. However, she never made it to her classes. When she failed to return home, her worried family began searching for her, only to be met with police indifference. Their worst fears were confirmed when they discovered her bicycle abandoned, and soon after, her lifeless body was found in a secluded area near a dilapidated building.
The scene was horrific—Vithiya’s hands were bound with her school tie, her mouth was gagged, and her legs were tied to separate trees. Investigators later confirmed that she had been brutally gang-raped and murdered. The crime sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka, sparking protests and demands for justice.
Justice Undermined: The Shocking Role of Law Enforcement
Mahalingam Sasikumar, known as Swiss Kumar, was captured by villagers and handed over to the police. However, instead of ensuring justice, SDIG Lalith Jayasinghe—a senior police official—was accused of arranging for the suspect’s escape. Swiss Kumar attempted to flee the country but was later arrested in Colombo.
The police response to Vithiya’s disappearance and murder was widely criticized. Initially, officers dismissed her family’s concerns, making insensitive and derogatory remarks. When her body was found, delays in police action and allegations of interference raised questions about corruption and abuse of power within law enforcement.
Vithiya, a schoolgirl from Pungudutivu, Sri Lanka, went missing on 13 May 2015 after leaving for school alone. When she failed to return home, her family reported her disappearance to the police, who were initially unresponsive. Villagers and family members searched for her, eventually discovering her brutally murdered body the next morning in an isolated area.
Investigations led to the arrest of multiple suspects, including individuals with past conflicts with Vithiya’s family. One suspect, Swiss Kumar, was accused of filming the crime and was caught while attempting to flee the country. The case resulted in protests across northern Sri Lanka, with demands for justice and police accountability. Demonstrations turned violent, leading to arrests and a temporary protest ban in Jaffna. The police investigation was later handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department.
A Landmark Verdict in the Fight Against Corruption
The court’s decision to imprison Jayasinghe is a significant victory for justice in a country where high-ranking officials often evade accountability. Prosecuted by Senior Government Advocate Nishanth Nagaratnam, the case highlighted the disturbing reality of systemic corruption in Sri Lanka’s justice system.
This verdict serves as a reminder that even those in positions of power will face consequences for obstructing justice. However, for Vithiya’s family and the people of Sri Lanka, the scars of this horrific crime remain. The fight for a more just and accountable system continues.
As heared in the court proceedings :The girl’s legs had been stretched 180 degrees to the side and tied to two trees. Her face and body was swollen. There was something smeared on her eyes, genitalia and chest area. There were ants swarming on and over her. The hair of her scalp which had been brushed, keeping a middle parting, had turned blue. The ribbon used in tying her hair had been used to tie her hands behind her back. The hair had been pulled and tied to a tree. Next to her body, her schoolbag, bicycle and umbrella were found. (It is also reported that the deceased’s torn school uniform and tie had also been found from near the body).
