Assault on Rupavahini News Director:

Suspect granted bail

Sarath MALALASEKERA

M.D. Nuwan Udaya Gunatilleke who is alleged to have assaulted the Rupavahini News Director T.M.G. Chandrasekera, was yesterday granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Nishantha Hapuarachchi.

The Judge directed the suspect to furnish Rs. 10,000 cash bail and a Rs. 200,000 bond with two sureties. One Surety should be a Government servant, the Judge said.

The Judge also directed the suspect to surrender his passport to Court and not interfere with any of the prosecution witnesses. If he wants to leave the country he could do so with the permission of the Court.

At the outset Anton Senanayake, Senior Counsel for the suspect, moving for bail submitted to Court that this is a bailable offence and to grant bail for his client on any condition.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) probing the incident submitted to Court that they have to record two more statements in connection with the incident took place at the Rupavahini Corporation.

After submissions by the CID and the Defence Counsel the Judge granting bail for the suspect directed him to appear in Court again on February 22.