By Colombo Telegraph –
Former Sri Lankan MP and a District Minister for Gampaha in President JR Jayawardene’s government Tudor Gunasekara, 77, who said he was one of Sri Lanka’s leading businessmen, was fined at the Old Bailey yesterday after being convicted of groping a masseur’s breast. He is ordered to pay £7,420 in fines, compensation and legal costs, with £15 victim’s surcharge and was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register.
In President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s government, Tudor Gunasekara was appointed as the first Sri Lanka Ambassador toPoland, Bulgaria, Rumania and Hungary.
But after he was found guilty of sexual assault, Judge Charles Wide QC ordered an investigation by the Legal Service Commission as to whether the former ambassador to Poland committed fraud. Gunasekara had claimed he survived on just £100 a month from his state pension after transferring all his wealth to his son, the Telegraph reported yesterday.
Gunasekara was found guilty of sexually assaulting a masseur at a gym and spa in Wimbledon Photo: Ed Willcox/CENTRAL NEWS
According to the newspaper Judge Wide said: “This is a serious inquiry. This man appears to be quite a rich man and the British taxpayers paid for his defence in a case where he was patently guilty. “He was prepared for the British taxpayers to subsidise his defence.”
He asked for the Legal Service Commission to investigate ‘whether his legal representation order was obtained by fraud’. Gunasekara, who is married with two children and a prominent member of the United National Party, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a masseur at a well known high street gym and spa in Wimbledon this May according to the Telegraph.
As he received a massage he reached out to grab the masseur breast as she kneaded his shoulders which caused the respectable and conscientious woman to flee pressing the panic button.
Prosecutor Robin Griffiths addressing the jury said: “You may think it was that close proximity between him and her at that late stage of a full Swedish massage when he simply lost his self restraint and groped her.”
The jury took less than half an hour to find him guilty.
But Mr Griffiths added Gunasekara tried to blame the masseur saying “it was the therapist that made the improper proposal she could give him better service for an extra £50 on top of the already inflated figure he claimed she charged him at the beginning of the day before proceedings began.”
He claimed he had paid £100 for a foot massage to relieve the pain in his foot because of the diabetes he suffered from for the last quarter of a century but the woman began giving him a full body rub before making the indecent proposal.
Gunasekara was ordered to pay a £1,000 fine, £1,000 compensation, prosecution costs of £1,250 and his defence costs estimated to be over £4,170.
Judge Wide QC added: “It was a really nasty offence.
“When good character is relied upon in your case, it does help me to understand what sort of man you are.
“What you did was really bad. To get yourself off the hook, and for no other reason, you accused this completely blameless sensible and conscientious woman of having stolen from her employer by keeping the money and getting more out of you by then offering you extra special services.”
He said the woman masseur who worked as a beautician was “entirely respectable” as was the spa but Gunasekara made inappropriate remarks about her private life, asked her back to his hotel room, and then offered to read her palm as a means to get intimate with her.
When that failed he offered her money but when his advances were rejected, he lunged at her.
Judge Wide said: “It was obviously very, very upsetting for her. She fled from the room in high distress, pushing the panic button as she went.”
Former Sri Lankan Ambassador Tudor Gunasekara was accused of “lying” to the Old Bailey and in his legal aid application about his wealth.
The court heard despite claiming he only had a £100 a month to live off, he had £1,850 and $631 in cash, and £50 worth of traveller’s cheques when he was arrested for groping a masseur’s breast.
Yet despite the sums readily at hand he pleaded poverty and got legal aid to fight his case.
Gunasekara had travelled to the UK to visit his grandchildren when he groped the masseur’s breasts. In Sri Lankan he lives on a 25 acre estate complete with servants.
Judge Wide QC exploded with rage when he learnt of the legal aid funding adding: “The British public would be appalled to know they are paying for this man’s costs – one of Sri Lanka’s leading successful businessmen and government minister and ambassador to Poland and he say’s he’s got no money. “I think it is a lie, I think it is one of a number of lies he told in this court. “Frankly I don’t think the British public should pay a penny to this.” the Telegraph reported.
Related posts;
gamini / November 21, 2012
These are the paragons of virtue that have bled the UNP and this country. Justice at Last! What a Compliment he has paid his family and his friends? Serves the bugger right, going for a massage in the first place.
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Randeniya / November 21, 2012
These acts are minor when comparing with all kind of perpetrations that have been practising by the ruling MR and the henchmen today. So, people of our country still praise them for war victory.
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kumudini / November 21, 2012
Randeniya,This article has nothing to do with MR. Can you not discuss a case, sticking to the point. That is the problem with SL whether it is relevant or not they have a sadistic pleasure at throwing mud at MR and his Goverment .
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shankar / November 22, 2012
Kumudini,what Randeniya is implying is that behaviour permeates downwards from the top.If the highest in the land behaves improperly,what can you expect from the lowest.In this case the naki manamalaya would have thought if all these guys in the GOSL can behave much worse than him why can’t he too.Unfortunately he picked the wrong country and forgot that UK was not SriLanka.
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Sum / November 22, 2012
If our society would only be from Leelas and Kumudunis, no wonder that we the nation – will end up WITH MUCH MORE appalling levels of the society.
Sadly, Sadly… :( reality as it is.. it is like that many today are more like Kumudunis and Leelas. Most of them want corrupted, abusive and megalogmanic to lead the nation. They just ignore what is being CLEARLY seen to them. This is a catastrophis situation in the country today.
Even if MR would allow Russian prostitutes come in to the country or world largest drug dealer to get in- these Kumudunis or Leelas would not utter a word against. That is like they are born to behave like that.. Perhaps, genetists or the related scientists need find their gene codes to see better therapies and save the nation from the disaster.
If I am very honest, I wish our people had strict rule of law system as it is the case in Germany, Switzerland and several other countries in Europe. Everyone who go against the law – should be punished REGARDLESS of who he is ..
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mike / November 21, 2012
This bastard should have gone to a red light area to satisfy his biological needs. Take note MaRa, ChaRa, GoRa, BaRa, NaRa and their goons !!
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / November 21, 2012
SO ALL THE RA IN THE QUEUE ??????????????.
HO HO HO HO HO, HERE COMES CHRISTMAS RAS.
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Cynthia / November 22, 2012
…..AND THE HORAS [ of the Country’s Wealth ].
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Karunniyam / November 21, 2012
Is this beginning of Lanka bashing of government officials?
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shankar / November 21, 2012
This judge does not understand our culture and hospitality.Obviously the srilankan gentleman concerned was wanting to give back something in return for what he was getting.He was getting a good massage and wanted to return the favour and show his appreciation as part of our traditional world renowned hospitality.His friendly gesture in trying to massage her breasts was misconstrued due to the culture clash.
As for the woman running out hitting the panic button,sounds a bit fishy to me that she would be so scared of a 77 year old frail looking man as if he could rape her.Probably the real story is somewhere in between what he is telling and she is telling.Juries are unreliable and can be biased against foreigners.
At 77 years this guy’s still up to monkey pranks.If a srilankan is on his deathbed and a comely lass stands nude beside his bed,he will get up somehow and have a last hurrah.No wonder our population was only 2 million when the British came and now it is 22.
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dingiri / November 21, 2012
The court should have also realised that it is traditional in Sri Lanka for wealthy politicians to expect the state to bear the costs of any expense they incur, however extravagant it may be.
The Masseur should not have hit the panick button but instead should have hit him between the legs with a 10KG weight from the weights room.
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Sumudu / November 21, 2012
These kind of naki manamalayas are on a rise in srilanka today. I have read about this somewhere that Naki manamalayas are the most dangerous than the young chaps. They have even gone to that level that they harm their own grand children, was what I read in those discussions broadcasted lately on a lanken radio sender.
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shankar / November 22, 2012
Sumudu,are you implying that he visited his grandchildren for that purpose? If so instead of 2 birds with one stone he has got a hefty fine instead.
BTW what about the naki nonas.They are taking toy boys I heard.If you go to the Caribbean you will notice all the naki nonas from England having a rip roaring time with the locals one third their age.The boys talk all kind of crap that they are in love with them etc and take their money.The women like to hear that but they know in their hearts that it is all crap and the wrinkles will never go away,but still they yearn for love and of course great sex.
When I was a child in colombo there was a woman about 40 years and she had a servant boy of about 10 years and we knew from him that he was giving oral sex to her.
we are all human with the same needs and desires,faults etc whatever sex we belong to.Unless we go on the path that the Bhuddha advocated getting rid of our desires one by one,we will be all in the same boat.
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Sum / November 22, 2012
This could be that our nakimanamalayas trying to live up their erotic life again in their later age. Perhaps, that is not their guilty but their testesterone hormone mirrors. However, it is unfair to gernalise them from these single incidents, but sociologists and respective to authorities should pay their attention to provide them with adequate awarness program within the lanken norms and regulations. Just becasue europeans behave in that way, if elders in our societies would jjust follow it – that will only destruct our societies..
Lately, I heard it from a YOUTUBE VIDEO public relations minister – the notorious being for the position – Mervin himself louded to press briefing, as usual uncivilised statement that could harm any younger listeners – in my days- 3 decades ago in the country, there were norms for politicians or prominent personalities, today, as it is seen to everyone, values are deteriorating and even reached to appalling levels – but many seem to behave indifferent.As it was the case for Pissu ballo at that time, those who go against civil laws should be punished stricty, regardless of him being a minister, religious leader or anyone. That can then pave the way for a civilised society.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 22, 2012
You are in dream land talking of cultures forgetting the vultures. It’s always “old men” some who even cannot stand that go to Soho looking for lady and end up in massage parlor because prostitution is a criminal offence in some European nations like UK. Some of the best customers at these parlors are mostly from Pakistan, India; Sri Lanka while even some locals go there too but they mostly call them to a hotel or home. This is the same in the north or south of Europe.
Sri Lankan 22million because only the Sri Lankan monkey is a polygamist- watch BBC video 50mins “mammals” by Sir Richard Attenborough ;)
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Sam / November 22, 2012
Who is srilanken Monkey ?
There are this kind of nakiyos that go after sex or massage bars in every nation. I dont think that it is inevitable if they have got that kind of desires, but the man could have thought earler not to get caught and get published in this way.
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justice / November 21, 2012
Read the britsh newspapers online – “massage” is part of the sex business. This fool did not know how to get it – was crude in his approach.He deserves what he got.
In the old days in Soho(London),tarts advertised/practised many variations/perversions – one was “massage”.
There are ‘porn cinemas’ too.
These are there even now,in western capitals.
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Sum / November 22, 2012
No this is not true. There are also massages that have been prescribed by medical professionals – IN THAT CASE, MASSAGES are necessarily not sex related…
I know Massages are not accepted in lanken cutlure, but there are body massages that help the health of many to feel fit. Erotic massages should be something else, that we the south asians are not into. But these idiots – though lived as prominents of the countries seem to behave as europeans… and caught in act – .. :( I really dont mind some ve been like that,everyone should not be like the other.. but this man should have thought before – going to get caught in this way.. Some seniors seem to have learnt nothing with the time… :(
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Sum / November 22, 2012
I mean he could have let that go through his head before going to get court – leaving bad image to the lanken seniors.
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Lion / November 21, 2012
Thank god the fine would have been sever if he had poked his finger somewhere
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Lanka Muslim, UK / November 22, 2012
May I please ask the Moderator comments of a lower level such as this could be accommodated if the site wishes to maintain a standard reputation and civilised participants?
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Sam / November 22, 2012
Perhaps this kind articles should be discussed not on CT but on open audio forums – IT DEPENDS on THE LEVEL OF THE PROBLEMS PERVAILING IN OUR SOCIETY. Just ignoring similar events can only make things worst for our young ones and their future.
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Lasantha Pethiyagoda / November 22, 2012
The fact that older men often do fancy the young and fresh although feeble etc is not news. Tudor is certainly not alone in this aspect.
The fact that it happened in Britain, where judges would often use very obvious double standards when the accused is a foreigner from a poor country is manifest here.
While the accused could certainly have visited a brothel or sexual massage centre and mistakenly took his environment for granted, the judge’s statements, his rhetoric and sentiments clearly depict his emotions that seethe with indignance, whereas a white Englishman would definitely not receive similar comments or judgments.
The crimes that British soldiers committed in most parts of Asia and Africa over the centuries have largely gone unpunished and unmentioned.
The ongoing debacle in Iraq and other “theatres” of US/UK crimes against humanity daily see thousands of sexual assaults on poor third world women and their military police, military tribunals and the like hardly ever prosecute these vulgar criminals.
Tudor’s crime is obviously mild by any of the above standards. He is clearly a victim at the hands of a pontificating overlord who pretends to dispense justice while being a white-collar-racist humbug!
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traveller / November 23, 2012
very well said. This is what I felt reading this in the British media. No argument that what this man did was wrong, but justice works for him in the way you have explained. This is exactly how foreign (non-white) folks facing justice (for sexual or non-sexual issues) in places like Sweden and Sri Lanka’s ex-vice roy Norway, are also treated.
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Rama / November 23, 2012
sinhala mad man lasantha,why do you want to bring race into this. this has been the problem of black immigrants like you to britain. you always moan and complain and then you pull the race card out to prove your point. people like you suffer from an inferiority complex and that’s the reason why you always say whites do this and that because you are black. this aryan geezer gunasekara deserves what he got. how about the selsdon viharai bikku. you sinhala geezers produced character certificates for him and made representation on behalf him. the fact of the matter is he sexually abused young sinhala girls whose life is in tatters because of him. you sinhala geezers took the side of the accused and you couldn’t give a toss about the victims. i must say i don’t expect anything different from you. this is your normal behaviour. you are a barbaric and uncivilised race. how can the tamil people ever expect fairness an justice from you.
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r.kovian / November 22, 2012
I love my sinhala brothers and sisters, they know how to enjoy life even when they reach old age. Tamils should learn how to enjoy life from sinhala veerayas instead making money and not enjoying life…hahahahaha
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