Video shows arrest of Newnan theater manager for trying to kiss teenage employee

By and FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Published  April 6, 2023 4:45pm EDT
FOX 5 Atlanta
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Body camera video of movie theater manager's arrest, accused of sexual assault

A Newnan movie theater manager tried to kiss an underage employee, according to a police incident report. Washanta Gamalathge, 60, faces charges of sexual assault and tampering with evidence. Now investigators want to know if there are any other victims.

NEWNAN, Ga. - Body camera video obtained by FOX 5 shows the moments after officers arrived to a frantic call from a parent who reported his teenage daughter was just sexually assaulted by her boss. Investigators are now trying to determine if the incident has happened before, but unreported.

Washanta Gamalathge, 60, faces charges of sexual assault and tampering with evidence.

Gamalathge works as the Regal Georgian movie theater located along Newnan Crossing Bypass in Newnan. He is accused of cornering and attempting to kiss a 17-year-old female worker in the employee break room.

In the video, another employee is seen showing the officer the break room and pointing out the security camera. When police asked Gamalathge to see the video, he can be heard saying the camera had been broken for years.

The Regal Georgian movie theater located along Newnan Crossing Bypass in Newnan (FOX 5)
Newnan Police meet with Washanta Gamalathge, the manager of the Regal Georgian movie theater on March 31, 2023. (Newnan Police Department)
Washanta Gamalathge, the manager of the Regal Georgian movie theater, speaks with Newnan Police on March 31, 2023. (Newnan Police Department)
An employee at the Regal Georgian movie theater points out a security camera in the break room to Newnan Police on March 31, 2023. (Newnan Police Department)
Washanta Gamalathge, the manager of the Regal Georgian movie theater, calls his manager for Newnan Police on March 31, 2023. (Newnan Police Department)
An employee at the Regal Georgian movie theater unlocks the door to the manager’s office on March 31, 2023. (Newnan Police Department)
Newnan Police say Washanta Gamalathge, the manager of the Regal Georgian movie theater, was caught attempting to tamper with security video on March 31, 2023. (Newnan Police Department)
Newnan Police surround Washanta Gamalathge, the manager of the Regal Georgian movie theater, on March 31, 2023. (Newnan Police Department)
Newnan Police surround Washanta Gamalathge, the manager of the Regal Georgian movie theater, on March 31, 2023. (Newnan Police Department)
Newnan Police arrest Washanta Gamalathge, the manager of the Regal Georgian movie theater, on March 31, 2023. (Newnan Police Department)
Newnan Police arrest Washanta Gamalathge, the manager of the Regal Georgian movie theater, on March 31, 2023. (Newnan Police Department)
The Regal Georgian movie theater located along Newnan Crossing Bypass in Newnan (FOX 5)

The movie theater told police they were sending up another manager to check the camera system for video. While police stepped out to discuss the case, they say employees of the theater alerted them Gamalathge had locked himself in the office, where the security footage is kept.

The body cam video shows an employee unlocking the door. Police say they discovered the manager there watching the break room video. They asked him to stop what he was doing.

The other manager arrives and shows police the video and that is when police are seen putting Gamalathge under arrest.

Newnan Police say they would like to hear from the public, especially any past or current employees of the Georgia Cinemas. So far, they say two additional either past or current workers have come forward and more charges are possible.

After viewing the tape, officers put Gamalathge in handcuffs. He was booked into the Coweta County Jail.

Anyone with information in this or any other case involving Gamalathg is asked to call the Newnan Police Department.