Update
Former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and Sub-Inspector Sugath Mendis were remanded again until June 30 since Court of Appeal bail conditions were not handed over in writing to the Gampaha Magistrates Court,.Hiru News reported.
Former Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shani Abeysekera has been granted bail under strict conditions.
The Court of Appeal today granted bail to Abeysekera and Sub-Inspector Sugath Mendis, who have been in prison for over 10 months.
The Counsel made submissions yesterday telling the Court that the order by the High Court to remand the duo was illegal.
Counsel Viran Corea with Thilini Vidanagamage instructed by Gowrie Thavarsha appeared for Abeysekera. Counsel Chaminda Athukorale with Hafeel Farisz instructed by Nigel Walters appeared for Sugath Mendis.
Abeysekera was arrested in July last year and was charged under the Offensive Weapons Act and Explosives Devices Act for fabricating evidence in an investigation related to former DIG Vaas Gunawardena.
In May, the Appeal Court had sought a report on the health condition of Shani Abeysekera. The court was also informed by lawyers representing Abeysekera that he is in grave danger.
They said Abeysekera, who has health issues, was being irresponsibly placed in grave danger especially in view of Covid-19 and that it is the responsibility of all concerned not to unnecessarily delay revisions filed on an appeal for bail.
Meanwhile, former Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorale earlier this week urged the Government to end its witch-hunt against former CID Chief Shani Abeysekera, warning that the ruling party’s political vendettas were now threatening Sri Lanka’s GSP+ concessions and economic security.
In a statement, SJB MP Athukorale warned that the EU Parliament in a Resolution adopted last week had noted the ‘politically motivated detention” of SSP Abeysekera. (NewsWire)
Thalatha urges Govt to end witch-hunt against Shani, warns GSP+ at risk