HICORP director refused bail

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Lanka Jayaratne refused an application for bail and remanded the suspect HICORP (Pvt) Limited director Wellington Dehoedt till June 23.

Refusing the bail application, the Judge observed that the suspect had been produced before court under the Public Property Act, unless exceptional circumstances, the court has no power to grant bail for the suspect.

Senior Defence Counsel Sarath Siriwardena moving for bail submitted to court that the suspect's young daughter is suffering without the father.

Senior Defence Counsel Siriwardena said the amount alleged to have been involved in the transaction should be mentioned in the report filed before court by the investigators. This is vital for the defence when making an application for bail.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigating into the alleged arms deal by Danuna Tillekeratne, son-in-law of General Sarath Fonseka, filed a further report before Judge Lanka Jayaratne and said they have not completed the investigation.

On an application by the CID, the Judge re-issued the warrant in the English language for the arrest of Danuna Tillekeratne who is evading arrest.

Chief Inspector Mohan Siriwardena of the CID said they are obtaining the assistance of Interpol for the arrest of Danuna Tillakaratne.

Chief Inspector Siriwardena said a special CID team had searched several places in the country where Danuna is alleged to have been living.

The investigation also revealed that Danuna had left the country. Chief Inspector Siriwardena said the suspect director had forwarded several forged documents to the Army authorities to obtain the contract to his company.

The CID will submit a comprehensive report in connection with their ongoing investigations to court on the next date.

The case will be called again on June 23.