AG agrees to release journalist on bail

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

The Attorney General agreed to release freelance journalist Ruwan Weerakoon on bail Senior State Counsel Riyaz Hamza told the Supreme Court when the rights application filed on the journalist's behalf was mentioned before court yesterday.

Court fixed the rights application for July 7.

The Bench comprised Justice Shiranee Thilakawardane, Justice K. Sripavan and Justice S.I. Imam.

Petitioner Attorney-at-Law Lilanthi de Silva filed a rights application against the arrest and detention of the journalist who contributed to the Bottom Line, Asian Tribune and Associated Press.

The petitioner stated that the journalist is being detained at the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) on charges of conspiracy to overthrow the government.

The petitioner cited Police officers attached to the TID and the CID including IP Saman Karunarathna of TID, the Attorney General and several others as respondents.

The petitioner stated that the petitioner was arrested at the Nawaloka Hospital while receiving medical treatment on March 15.

The petitioner stated that the arrest and the detention of the journalist was illegal and was in violation of his rights and sought release.

Counsel Saliya Pieris with Shantha Jayawardane appeared for the petitioner.

Senior State Counsel Riyaz Hamza appeared for the respondents.

The application was put off for July 7.