Golden key case: suspects refused bail

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Harsha Sethunga yesterday refused applications for bail in respect of 15 suspects who had been remanded in connection with the Golden Key Credit Card alleged fraud and remanded them till April 23.

The Judge reserved the order in respect of the bail application of Chairman Lalith Kotelawala for April 23.

The Judge also directed Prison authorities to produce the suspects on April 8 to extend their remand orders.

The Judge directed Criminal Investigation Department officials, who are conducting investigations into the alleged fraud, to obtain a medical report from the Colombo JMO in connection with the health condition of Kotelawala and produce in Court on the next date.

The Court released Yashin Chity on bail in Rs. 250,000 each with two sureties and directed her not leave the country without prior permission of the Court. The Judge also directed the CID to inform about the Court order to Immigration and Emigration officers.

Deputy Chairman Cecilie Kotelawala was not present in Court yesterday. Attorney U.R. de Silva, Counsel for her produced a medical certificate from a hospital in Singapore.

Deputy Solicitor General Sarath Jayamanne who appeared with Inspector Roshan Masimbula of the CID for the prosecution vehemently objected to the suspects being released on bail.

Deputy Solicitor General Jayamanne submitted to Court that regarding Cecilie Kotelawala, they have informed the Singapore Interpol to obtain assistance.

At the outset, Senior Counsel for the Ceylinco Chairman, President's Counsel C. R. de Silva moving for bail submitted to Court to release his client on bail to make arrangements to repay the depositors as early as possible.

President's Counsel de Silva said his client had to negotiate with several foreigners to obtain money to settle the depositors.

A team of Senior Counsel including President's Counsel M.L.M. Ameen, President's Counsel Rienzie Arasacularatne, Upali Gooneratne, Upali Senaratne, Clinton Dabare, U.R. de Silva, Anura Medagoda, Anil Silva, Nalin Ladduwahetty and Nalin Indatissa appearing on behalf of the suspects moved Court to grant bail for their clients.

Attorney-at-law Ian Fernando, Senior Counsel for the employees of the Company, submitted to Court that due to Ceylinco Chairman Lalith Kotelawala being in remand custody over 40,000 employees were suffering.

President's Counsel Nigel Hatch, Ananda Kasthuriarachchi, Neveille Abeyratne, Janapriya Fernando, Shanaka Ranasinghe and a team of lawyers appeared for the depositors.

Tight security prevailed in the outer perimeter of the Court premises on the direction of Mount Lavinia Senior SP Hemantha Adikari, assisted by Mount Lavinia SP Lalith C. Gunawardena.

The case will be called again on April 23.