Rajitha Senaratne released on bail AG’s revision application: Fixed for argument on Feb.5

By T Farook Thajudeen  

 The Colombo High Court yesterday fixed for argument on February 5 the revision application filed by the Attorney General challenging the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s granting of bail to MP Rajitha Senaratne who was arrested in connection with the ‘white van’ news conference held on November 10.  HC Judge Manjula Tillekaratne said after considering the submissions made on January 17 by the relevant parties it was necessary to fix the case for argument before taking up the Magistrate’s order for consideration. 

The revision application filed by the AG sought an interim Order from the HC staying the bail order and re-remand the suspect on the basis that the Colombo Chief Magistrate on December 30 had acted in a manner that exceeded her limits in granting bail.  Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna released Dr. Senaratne on bail with two sureties of Rs.500,000 each after observing that the Criminal Procedure Code had provisions to grant bail to a suspect in such cases.