Golden Key suspects refused bail

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Harsha Sethunga refused applications for bail in respect of eleven suspects who had been remanded in connection with the alleged Golden Key Credit Card fraud and remanded them till August 20.

The Judge reserved the order in respect of the bail application of Chairman Lalith Kotelawela for August 20 as his bail application is pending before the Colombo High Court.

Senior State Counsel Gihan Kulatunga submitted that the CID had questioned Sehara Fernando to ascertain whether she had withdrawn the fixed deposits of Sicelle Kotelawela, the third suspect in the case.

The Judge directed the Fiscal officers to produce the suspects on August 6 in order to extend the remand order.

The Judge earlier directed several bank Managers and managers of several Mobile telephone Companies, who were present in Court, to assist the CID in conducting investigations and provide with the necessary details that the CID required.

Deputy Chairman Sicelle Kotelawela was not present in Court on Thursday.

Senior State Counsel Gihan Kulatunga who appeared with Inspector Roshan Masimbula of the CID for the prosecution vehemently objected to the suspects being released on bail.

The Senior State Counsel submitted that regarding Mrs. Kotelawela’s fixed deposits the CID conducting investigations.

President’s Counsel S. Parathalingam, President’s Counsel M.L.M. Ameen, President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsacularatne, Clinton Dabare, U.R. de Silva, Anuja Premaratne, Anil Silva, Nalin Ladduwahetty, Nalin Indatissa appearing for the suspects moved Court to grant bail for their clients.

Attorney-at-Law Ian Fernando, Senior Counsel appeared for the employees of the Company.

The case will be called again on August 20.