Karaoke hostess arrest:

Magistrate orders to file plaint on October 25

Sarath Malalasekera

Colombo Fort magistrate and additional district judge Kaviska Wijeratne yesterday directed Kollupitiya Police to file plaint against the Karaoke hostess taken into custody with a snake in her possession, on October 25.

Sub Inspector G D Kumarasinghe who appeared for the prosecution submitted that they need to obtain the JMO’s report in connection with investigations and moved for a date to file the plaint against the suspect.

Earlier, Senior Counsel for the suspect, President’s Counsel Rienzie Arasacularatne submitted that the Police are unable to maintain a charge against his client as the charges are not under the Cruelty to Animals Act.

Police earlier filed a report from the Forensic Psychiatry Unit that the suspect did not have symptoms suggestive of a mental disorder during the period of assessment. President’s Counsel Rienzie Arasacularatne with attorneys Thejith Koralage, Sudarshini Gunaratne, Nimal Ranawake and RMP Ranawake appeared for the suspect. The case will be called again on October 25.