Malaka, Rehan granted bail

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Colombo Fort magistrate and Additional District Judge Kaviska Wijeratne yesterday granted bail to Malaka de Silva, son of Minister Mervyn de Silva and Rehan Wijeratne remanded in connection with a complaint by Major Chandana Pradeep.

The judge directed the two suspects to furnish cash bail in Rs 50,000 each and a bond of Rs one million each with two sureties. The sureties should be their parents or close relations of the suspects.

The two suspects were also directed to appear before the Slave Island police OIC every Sunday between 9 am and noon.

Judge Wijeratne also directed the CCD to conduct an identification parade in connection with the other five suspects remanded in connection with the same incident, on September 24 morning.

The complainant Major Chandana Pradeep (37) was present in court yesterday on notice and gave evidence before court . He said he had been in the Army for the last 16 years and had served in Jaffna and Trincomalee and in Colombo for the past five months.

Major Pradeep examined by his Senior Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe said he made a statement to the Police on the day of the incident and submitted an affidavit to court last week.

At this stage, the Judge inquired from the Major whether he had given two statements on the day of the incident and later made another statement.

Major Pradeep said that when he made the first statement he was in a state of shock.

The judge directed the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) which is conducting investigations into the incident to ascertain the truth of the Majors statements and file a comprehensive report on the next date.

President's. Counsel Jayantha Weerasinghem Hemantha Warnakulasuriya and Anil Silva, senior counsel for the suspect moving for bail said their clients are innocent and not involved in any serious incidents.

CCD OIC Hemantha Dikovita with OIC Slave Island Police Malin Perera appeared for the prosecution

Jayantha Dias Nanayakkara, Asela Rekawa, Anton Senanayake with Sanjith Senanayake appeared for the two suspects.

The case will be called again on September 24.