Man jailed and caned for stabbing Singapore priest during communion

SINGAPORE, 21 AUGUST 2026 —

A Singaporean man was sentenced to four years and three months in jail and nine strokes of the cane for stabbing a parish priest in the mouth with a 10cm blade during a children’s mass last November.

Father Christopher Lee Kwong Heng, 59, was giving communion at St Joseph’s Church in Upper Bukit Timah when the attack occurred at about 6.30pm on November 9, 2024. He suffered a stab wound to the floor of his mouth and lacerations to his tongue, upper lip and mouth. He underwent surgery, received six days of inpatient care and 40 days of hospital leave, including speech therapy.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Xu Si Jia sought four years and three to four years and 11 months’ jail plus nine strokes of the cane, describing the assault as “brazen and wholly unprovoked”. She argued that the attack violated public safety, occurred in front of hundreds of worshippers, and could have caused mass panic. The foldable knife was a dangerous weapon capable of inflicting serious harm, she said.

Basnayake had taken five nitrazepam tablets before the mass, claiming he used them to stay focused and calm down. A urine test detected opiates and other controlled substances. A doctor from the Institute of Mental Health told the court that nitrazepam had previously caused Basnayake to lose consciousness and experience psychosis. Ms Xu argued that his voluntary intoxication did not excuse responsibility for the consequences.

The defence, led by Mr Ashwin Ganapathy and Mr Edwin Ho, sought less than four years’ jail and nine strokes of the cane. They argued that Basnayake’s awareness of drug-induced psychosis was unclear and that he was remorseful. They noted he had asked for a proportionate sentence.

District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan found the attack wholly unprovoked and harmful to a defenceless victim. He highlighted aggravating factors: the sacred context of communion, the crowded venue, the risk of mass panic and further injuries, and Basnayake’s self-induced drug psychosis. The judge noted this was not Basnayake’s first violence-related offence while intoxicated, indicating escalation.

Basnayake has been in remand since November 11, 2024, and was denied bail on public safety grounds. Carrying weapons in public without lawful purpose is a non-bailable offence punishable by up to three years’ jail and at least six strokes of the cane. For voluntarily causing grievous hurt, he could have faced life imprisonment or up to 15 years’ jail, a fine and caning.

On November 9, 2024, St Joseph’s Church held a children’s mass at 5.30pm with communion beginning at 6.15pm. Nine hundred people were present. Basnayake entered at about 5.30pm, sat on a bench, and later joined the communion queue behind Father Lee. As the priest prepared to administer the sacrament, Basnayake pulled out the knife and stabbed him in the mouth.

Father Lee stepped back bleeding, grabbed Basnayake’s pocket, and was assisted by volunteers and an off-duty police officer in restraining him. Police were called and Basnayake’s pockets were searched, revealing the additional weapons.

Related: Singapore