
Jagath Samantha
Chairman, Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha · Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)
Overview
- Status
- CONVICTED
- Current Case
- Obstructing the official duties of the then Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretary Danasena Soorasinghe; unlawful assembly; attempting to/publicly assaulting a public official (stemming from a Nov 2008 confrontation over illegally felled government timber donated for temple construction)
- Sentence
- 5.5 years rigorous imprisonment + Rs. 1,000,000 compensation to the victim (an additional 24 months imprisonment if unpaid); one source adds Rs. 136,000 in fines
- Next Hearing
- Not publicly confirmed
- Last Verified
- 15 May 2026
The short version
Jagath Samantha was convicted in 2026 (5.5 years rigorous imprisonment + Rs. 1,000,000 compensation to the victim (an additional 24 months imprisonment if unpaid); one source adds Rs. 136,000 in fines). Obstructing the official duties of the then Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretary Danasena Soorasinghe; unlawful assembly; attempting to/publicly assaulting a public official (stemming from a Nov 2008 confrontation over illegally felled government timber donated for temple construction). None further - trial concluded; no appeal reported as of 5 Sept 2026.
How did we get here?
- 15 May 2026Case 1
Convicted — 5.5 years rigorous imprisonment + Rs. 1,000,000 compensation to the victim (an additional 24 months imprisonment if unpaid); one source adds Rs. 136,000 in fines
Obstructing the official duties of the then Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretary Danasena Soorasinghe; unlawful assembly; attempting to/publicly assaulting a public official (stemming from a Nov 2008 confrontation over illegally felled government timber donated for temple construction)
Court: Chilaw High Court
Court cases
Obstructing the official duties of the then Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretary Danasena Soorasinghe; unlawful assembly; attempting to/publicly assaulting a public official (stemming from a Nov 2008 confrontation over illegally felled government timber donated for temple construction)
What’s happened
None further - trial concluded; no appeal reported as of 5 Sept 2026
- Court
- Chilaw High Court
- Sentence
- 5.5 years rigorous imprisonment + Rs. 1,000,000 compensation to the victim (an additional 24 months imprisonment if unpaid); one source adds Rs. 136,000 in fines
- Next hearing / due
- Not publicly confirmed
Assaulting people at a fuel station and obstructing a police officer's duties (17 Jun 2022, during the fuel crisis)
What’s happened
Produced in court and remanded 19-23 Jun 2022; no outcome found in available reporting
- Court
- Chilaw District/Magistrate's Court
- Next hearing / due
- Not publicly confirmed
Sources (1)
Political career
Ministerial positions
No ministerial positions publicly confirmed.
Other political positions
Chairman, Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha
Dates not publicly confirmed
Party history
Documented as an SLPP local-government politician by 22 Apr 2022 and again in 2026; the exact joining date is unknown.
