Two youths who damaged a state bank ATM after becoming frustrated while attempting to withdraw Rs. 500 using a bank card were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, with the sentence suspended for a period of 10 years.
The order was issued yesterday, 15 December.
The court also directed the accused to pay Rs. 100,000 as compensation to the relevant bank for the damage caused to the ATM machine.
The suspended sentence was imposed on two youths residing in the Sangharaja Mawatha area in Colombo.
The suspects had been arrested following a complaint lodged by the bank and were initially remanded before being released on bail. When the case was taken up yesterday, the accused pleaded guilty through their legal representatives, after which the magistrate delivered the sentence.
According to court proceedings, the damage was caused when the ATM experienced a delay during the transaction, prompting the youths to kick the machine, resulting in losses to the bank.
