Former Minister MP Johnston Fernando who surrendered before Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage was released on bail. He was released on two sureties of Rs.1 million each. He surrendered before the Magistrate in accordance with the order issued by the Court of Appeal yesterday.
Suspect Fernando made an appearance at the Magistrate’s residence in Maharagama.
On June 8, Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage issued warrant for the arrest of Fernando.
Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage issued warrant for the arrest of former Minister Johnston Fernando on Wednesday. The Court of Appeal yesterday ordered former Minister Johnston Fernando to surrender before 8 p.m. yesterday over the assault on protesters at Galle Face on May 9. The Criminal Investigation Department was also ordered not to enforce the arrest warrant issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court until 8 p.m. yesterday
The Court ordered the Fort Magistrate not to issue any order in connection with former Minister Johnston Fernando until the final determination of the writ application filed by Fernando preventing his arrest.
The Court of Appeal issued these orders after taking into consideration the writ application filed by former Minister Johnston Fernando seeking an Interim Order preventing him being arrested. The writ application was taken up before the Court of Appeal Judges Justices Sobitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola yesterday.
President’s Counsel Manohara De Silva who appeared for the petitioner made a lengthy submission when the petition was taken up before Court yesterday. The President’s Counsel stated that the attempt by the CID to arrest the petitioner by naming him as a suspect in the case was completely against the law. He said that Police has misled the Magistrate’s Court by claiming that former Minister Johnston Fernando has committed an offence. He stated that his client’s speech at Temple Trees on the day in question did not include any facts that could incite violence.
President’s Counsels Rienzi Arsecularatne and Sarath Jayamanne appeared for the aggrieved parties.
The case is to be taken up before court on June 21. A group of persons including IGP, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department have been cited as respondents in the writ application
Add new comment