Mulleriyawa PS Chairman released on bail

Razeena Razick

COLOMBO: Chairman Kotikawatte and Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha Prasanna Gunasinghe who was produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Ajith Anavarathna in a case where he is alleged to have assaulted a person during a TV coverage of flood affected areas ,was released on Rs. 105,000 cash and personal bail.

The suspect had allegedly assaulted a person following an argument over filling of marsh land, in the presence of a TV crew who was filming the flood affected areas in Mulleriyawa. Mulleriyawa Police OIC Gemunu Omanthemudali informed courts that the suspect voluntarily surrendered to the Police and he was remanded on a complaint made by the Plaintiff Anura Shanaka.

Also he told Court that he(OIC) did not permit the media to enter the Police station or to do a coverage until the suspect was produced before Court.

The Police informed court that the Plaintiff was hospitalised after his statement was recorded by the police. The Police submitted statements made by five witnesses. The Police further told court that the suspect had assaulted the plaintiff while he was helping the media in their news coverage of a particular area.

Defense lawyers contesting the plaint stated that the Chairman at no stage assaulted the plaintiff and that their client was in the area providing flood relief to the displaced people. The complaint was made to harm the reputation of the Chairman.

The Magistrate ordered the Police to submit a further report on the investigation on next hearing and ordered the suspect to appear before the court on June 6.