The Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage has yesterday granted fresh bail to SLPP MP Johnston Fernando in connection with the attacks took place at Galle Face on May 9.
Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered to release Johnston Fernando on two sureties of ten million rupees. Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena appearing on behalf of the Attorney General’s Department said that a special three-person psychiatric report had checked the mental condition of Johnston Fernando.
The Magistrate also directed the IGP to submit a report to Court as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Chanaka Silva was presenting his case in a biased manner.
Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena also stated that the Investigations have revealed that the director in charge of the CID has been transferred from CID due to the news published about him on social media mentioning that he was in charge of the security division of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
She also stated that DIG Champika Siriwardena has given statements regarding the zoom meeting that took place the day before the incident.”Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon had conducted an instructional class through zoom technology and said that police should operate water cannons on his instructions. He also mentioned on his statement that SDIG Deshabandu Tennakoon has stated that he will seek the advice of the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Defence if necessary. It has been announced that this meeting will be recorded and arrangements are being made to obtain the recorded footage”, she added.
She also added that the CID recorded a statement from Secretary to the Public Security with regard to the aforesaid incident. “The IGP has been informed in writing to inform the Attorney General if there are any threats and adding that no reply had been received yet.The Attorney General has instructed the IGP yesterday to take the necessary steps and inform it to AG.
The letter issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Defence S. Hettiarachchi dated May 31,2022 has been received and the files have been started for preliminary investigations. Also, in a letter sent by Deshabandu Tennakoon on May 23, the IGP has requested him to make further statements as he has been prejudiced according to the statements made to the media.SDIG also requested from CID to obtain re-statements from the two other officers in charge of Colombo North and Central.”, ASG Ayesha Jinasena added.
President’s Counsel Maithree Gunarathne appearing on behalf of the aggrieved party stated that the CID is misleading Court.
“During the last hearing, CID stated that the DIG Tilakaratne, who was in charge of the CID had withdrew from the aforesaid investigation due to the pressure.
Today, the Attorney General’s Department informed that it is not so. A request has been made by Deshabandu Tennakoon to give a statement again stating that he was prejudiced through the statements made by the IGP to the media. Permission has been sought to make further statements as it is prejudicial to the other two officers”, Attorney Hafeel Fareez appearing on behalf of the SDIG Deshabandu Thennakoon stated.
Magistrate:Your client can make a request. But why is he making a request regarding the other two?.
Attorney Hafeel Fareez stated that the media has also mentioned statements regarding the other two.
Four other suspects who were produced before court yesterday were also released on bail.
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