Unlawful assembly case :

Suspects granted personal bail

Kapila SOMARATNE Panadura group corr.

Panadura Magistrate Ranga Dissanayaka granted personal bail in Rs. 100,000 on each suspect produced before court yesterday in connection with damaging the Galle road by burning an effigy and obstructing traffic by being members of an unlawful assembly.

The suspects are former State Minister Power and Energy Mervyn J. Cooray, Panadura UNP Chief Organiser Vigith Priyantha de Silva, Panadura JVP Chief Organiser Jagath Puskpakumara, S.M. Lalith Mangala Silva, Suraj Mendis Abeygunawardena and S.B.P. Pushpakumara.

Panadura Police HQI Kumaradasa Hettiarachchi with Inspector Sarath Dasanayake and Sub Inspector Pushpakumara produced the suspects before court with a "B" report giving details of the offences committed by the suspects. Fourteen other suspects are to be arrested, police told the Magistrate.

Lawyers led by Senior Lawyer Vajira Kavisinghe cited several new law reports before court.

He said every person has the right to participate in a peaceful picketing campaign.

The suspects had participated in a peaceful picketing campaign yesterday on the Galle road and an effigy was set on fire. No damage was caused to the Galle road, he said.

On an investigation of a third party, police arrested the suspect who participated in the peaceful picketing campaign held to protest the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka.

The Magistrate considered the submissions made by the lawyers and police granted bail on the six suspects.