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Student Who Hacked Website placed under probation

Student Who Hacked Sirisena’s Official Website
The 17-year-old schoolboy, who is facing charges in connection with alleged securing an unauthorised access into the President’s official website was yesterday ordered to be placed under the supervision of the probation officers for three-year period by Colombo Chief Magistrate. Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya made this order taking into consideration a request made by the Department of Probation and Child Care Services.

Accordingly, the 17-year-old schoolboy would be supervised by probation officers for three-year period with the consent of the parents.

Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate ordered the CID to obtain an analytical report from Colombo University pertaining to the production items recovered from the suspects’ possession.

The schoolboy and other suspect Dulan Amarasinghe, 27, are currently out on bail.

The CID had alleged that the schoolboy residing in Kadugannawa area had intruded into the President’s official website www.president.gov.lk on August 25 after altering its original data.

A group calling itself the “Sri Lankan Youth” posted a statement in Sinhalese on the web page. The concerned statement says; “We are extremely displeased about the decision to hold GCE A/L in April since the Sinhala/Hindu New Year falls in between the exam dates.

Therefore, reconsider that decision. Furthermore, take care of the security of Sri Lankan websites. Or else, we will have to face a cyber war. If you cannot control the situation hold a Presidential Election. Stop the Prime Minister’s irresponsible work. Look more into the problems of the university students”.

Counsel informed Court that their clients did not have any criminal intention to commit this offence. They informed Court their clients just wanted to tell the fact that the President’s website was with weak security. They further submitted to Court that some parties are attempting to gain political advantages using this incident.

The CID alleged that the suspects had committed an offence which comes under section 3,4,5 and 6 of the Computer Crimes Act.

The CID said investigations have revealed about 37 websites were hacked by the suspects. “The President’s official website had been hacked using two IP address from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Police are investigating regarding a Bangladesh national who had connived with the two Sri Lankan suspects in hacking the President’s website,” the CID said.

Defense Counsel Susantha Dodawatta appeared on behalf of the schoolboy.