Lalith de Silva
Earlier today, Lalith De Silva, the former SriLankan Airlines Regional Manager was convicted by the Metropolitan Magistrate Court of New Delhi for insulting the modesty of one of his Indian national female staff members, during the time he was stationed in New Delhi, India.
The incident which took place in 2009 and was first heard in court in 2014, went on for 6 years, before the Judge S.H. Dev Saroha presiding used an online platform to announce his verdict today.
Lalith De Silva who is currently in Sri Lanka, had also joined the Web-Ex call and was online when the verdict was read.
Colombo telegraph has omitted the name of the complainant to protect her identity.
Sentencing for this conviction is scheduled to be heard on the 17th November 2020.
The violation and conviction of the Indian Penal Code 509 is defined as “Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any words, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object, intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen, by such woman, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and also with fine”.
As per court records as stated by the complainant, the incident had flared up when on the 8th of October 2009 the Regional Manager De Silva had called his Indian national female Sales Executive to his room at the SriLankan Airlines Delhi Office and had asked her “Did your husband fuck you? How was it? What shall I call you now, a prostitute, hooker or bitch?”.
Despite being harassed by Lalith de Silva, the victim whose hometown is also New Delhi, was further punished, when he transferred her to work in SriLankan Airlines office in Kochi. This is after she had maintained a good record as an employee of the airline for twelve straight years.
Earlier Colombo Telegraph following this incident published two stories on the 19th of May 2016 titled “Delhi Court Summons SriLankan Airlines Management For Sexual Harassment Case” and on the 10th August 2016 titled “New Delhi Judge Summons SriLankan Airline Authorities For Sexual Harassment Case“.
In our published stories above, we did not name the accused as the case was in progress. However this is the first time we have published the name of the accused Lalith De Silva, as he is now convicted.
A secondary case run concurrently against SriLankan Airlines for failure to have the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) as mandated under the sexual harassment of women at workplace Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal Act 2013, Law as applicable in India to investigate the complaints of Sexual Harassment made by employees. That case has reached the stage where it is being argued in court at present.
The complainant’s Lawyer Ajay Verma when contacted by Colombo Telegraph said “Honorable Judge Dev Saroha, Metropolitan Magistrate in New Delhi, India, found Lalith De Silva Former Regional Manager (India), SriLankan Airlines guilty for insulting the modesty of one of his former colleague at its Delhi division, while he was stationed at New Delhi. After conducting the trial, the verdict was pronounced today through video conferencing. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and non-functioning of international flights, the physical presence of Lalith De Silva could not be done. Therefore the quantum of sentence will be pronounced on 17. 11. 2020, as the presence of accused is necessary as per the Procedure Code. It is likely that Lalith De Silva may be sentenced to be imprisoned, which may extend up to three years.”
Speaking further, the victim’s Lawyer Ajay Verma said “The victim has been pursuing her fight for her honour for a long time. The Airline has not been supportive to her. They rather tried to cover it up. The victim instead of getting the support from the airline was removed from service. In a separate criminal proceeding SriLankan Airlines is also facing trial for not complying with the Indian Law. That case is currently ongoing”. (By Janaka Ranaweera)
Easton Scott / September 16, 2020
No one should be subjected to this kind of vulgar, insulting, humiliating dressing down and my sympathies with the victim.
However, I question the logic of this being the lead article in CT today – isn’t it much lower in the frame of matters of higher import?
Just asking.
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rj1952 / September 17, 2020
CT had every right to publish the sad sordid true tale as the lead story.
a. –
If he really desired sex he could have visited the numerous red-light districts where prostitution is legalised in most states of India.
b. –
If that was beneath his dignity he could have hired paid high-class escorts of either sex to discharge his fantasies or frustrations.
c. –
If he did not desire to pursue those paths he could have found a sideline female or male paramour.
d. –
By his conduct, he has caused irreparable damage and loss of reputation to the whole country.
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whywhy / September 17, 2020
rj1952 ,
“By his conduct,he has caused irreparable damage and loss of reputation
to the whole country.” Sri lanka is on the list of few countries that are
intensely searching for sex on Google ! There was a very recent report of
a woman of 80 years old rape and a killing after rape of a baby girl of one
and half years ! In Srilanka ! Yes , our mother land !
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Ashan / September 16, 2020
Bringing pride and honor to Sri Lanka? Whether cricketers, or officials, they should go for special classes on how to behave abroad, and not behave like crude louts when they represent our country.
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umberto / September 17, 2020
Ashan
It doesn’t matter how long you run special classes for such people, they will show their inherent weakness at sometime. Remember the saying ” YOU CAN TAKE A GIRL OUT OF THE VILLAGE BUT YOU CANNOT TAKE THE VILLAGE OUT OF THE GIRL. ” In the words of Mahindapala/ Eagle Eye ” It is Sinhalayo Budhist you are talking about”
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Ajay / September 16, 2020
2009 was a Year of Living Dangerously for the Rajapaksas and their cronies appointed to cushy positions. After the war was won, they went through a phase of over cockiness and a testosterone rush. This judgement is going to plummet the poor guy, making him go limp.
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rj1952 / September 17, 2020
Another Alibaba Mahindan Rajapuka clown of a now proven sexually frustrated chuck golayas has bitten the dust.
a –
As holding the position of Regional Manager he should have known how to conduct himself and has brought disgrace not only to himself, the airline who was his employer and worst of it all spoilt the reputation of the whole nation.
b –
Once he’s sentenced I am positive that he will appeal against the judgement.
That’s his given right.
c –
If he is found guilty again, if there’s an extradition treaty signed between the two nations he should be arrested and sent to Delhi to serve jail time for his disgusting frustrated deliberate indiscretion he must be arrested sent back to India to face the music being the toy boy to his fellow sexual offenders.
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Plato / September 17, 2020
There is sexual harassment on a large scale in our public institutions. How many have come up before our courts?
Assuming, they do come up, an umpteen number of special courts and an umpteen number of judges would have to be established and recruited respectively to deal with them.
Final judgement will go into the next century!
We have not heard of such litigation to date. Maybe because Srilanka is a Land Like no other?!
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Simon / September 17, 2020
This is nothing to get alarmed of “Unheard” in the “Higher Circles” of this National Carrier. If one could lay hands-on the reports (findings) so far compiled as regards this airline under the “Stewardship” of ex-Chairman, Mr. Nishantha Wickramasinghe, the Brother-in-Law of MR and the still “Surviving” some of Senior Management Staff, this “Complaint” is only a “Speck” in the dust storm. Can anyone direct me to any action taken against such “Sadistic” vagabonds who up till now roam around in all glamour and dignity? However, I am happy at least the Indian Judiciary has dealt with this case appropriately and also to note that there are more ongoing to be taken up next. When will the “Higher Circles” who are accused of such “Sexual Favors” , counting from the very “TOP” to the level of “Seniors” would be dealt with on the findings spelled out in “Weliamuna Report” and the “Presidential Commission”? I bet, that will NEVER happen in Sri Lanka. Period.
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Punchi Point / September 17, 2020
We must stop sending these useless characters abroad. They do not know to behave or talk properly. Disgusting. Hope he gets a couple of decades in jail for the charges brought by the lady and another couple decades for bringing disrepute to the country.
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Ad / September 17, 2020
Justice shall be served as deserved.
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deepthi silva / September 17, 2020
I do not know about this particular case. But in general can we trust an Indian witness and then the Indian courts when it comes to a Indian vs Sri Lankan ?
If it was a white man, they would be different.Watch Indian hotel staff serving a white man and a brown skinned. Very different standards.
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RBH59 / September 17, 2020
It is not insult from another that causes you pain. It is the part of your mind that agrees with the insult. The Airline has not been supportive to her. They rather tried to cover it up. Therefore, community awareness& policy development is essential.
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ramona therese fernando / September 18, 2020
Fellow needs to be fined, sacked and discredited. Airline needs to be sued. That’s all.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / September 19, 2020
You have high hopes that Sri Lanka government is going to punish him. Already Srilankan airlines have issued a statement that they held an internal inquiry and found that the there is nothing to substantiate the allegation and has absolved him. They say that the claim by the woman of being sent on punishment transfer as a result of her complaint is false, since she was sent to Cochin because of necessity of the company and as she refused to go to Cochin, she was terminated. Naturally in a pariah state with jungle laws and kangaroo courts what more can you expect.
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