The revision application filed by former CID Director Shani Abeysekara seeking an order to enlarge him on bail was yesterday re-fixed for inquiry on May 19 by the Court of Appeal.
When the application came up before the Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Menaka Wijesundera and Justice Neil Iddawala, the Counsel appeared for Shani Abaysekara reiterated the importance of hearing the petition as much as possible due to deteriorating health condition of his client.
The Court of Appeal then re-fixed the application to be heard before the original bench comprising Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice R. Gurusinghe on May 19.
Shani Abaysekara was arrested and remanded for allegedly fabricating evidence in the murder of businessman Mohammed Shiyam.
Meanwhile, the revision application filed by Sub Inspector Sugath Mendis seeking an order to release him on bail was also fixed for inquiry on May 19.
Filing revision applications through their lawyers, the petitioners requested the Court of Appeal to revise and set aside the Gampaha High Court’s order to refuse bail and sought an order to grant bail to the petitioners on any condition that Court shall see fit.
The Gampaha High Court had refused to grant bail on two suspects on December 8, 2020.
The petitioners stated that in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with conditions in the prison system, their physical health, safety and lives are at an aggravated risk if kept in remand and that they have already been exposed to and contracted COVID-19 while in remand and were fortunate to have survived it.
Shani Abeysekara was arrested by the CCD for allegedly fabricating evidence in the murder of businessman Mohammed Shiyam in 2013 in which then DIG Vass Gunawardena and several others were sentenced to death for committing and conspiring to commit murder.
Senior Counsel Viran Corea appeared for Shani Abeysekara. Counsel Chaminda Athukorala with Hafeel Farisz appeared for Sugath Mendis.
Deputy Solicitor General Shanil Kularatne appeared for the Attorney General.
