Former ETI Directors granted bail

• Nalaka Edirisinghe, Jeewaka Edirisinghe, Deepa Edirisinghe and Asanka Edirisinghe were granted bail
• The Magistrate had also imposed a travel ban on the suspects 

By Yoshitha Perera   

Former Directors of Edirisinghe Trust Investment Finance Company (ETI) Nalaka Edirisinghe, Jeewaka Edirisinghe, Deepa Edirisinghe and Asanka Edirisinghe, who were arrested by the CID were yesterday granted bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.  

When the suspects were produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage, the Magistrate ordered to release them on two sureties of Rs. 01 million each.    The Magistrate had also imposed a travel ban on the suspects and ordered them to surrender their passports.   They were arrested on January 5 for running an unauthorised finance business.   

Attorney General Dappula de Livera earlier directed the CID to arrest and produce former directors of Swarnamahal Jewellers Ltd on charges of running an unauthorised finance business.    President Counsel Anuja Premaratne and Senior Counsel Asela Ranawaka appeared on behalf of the suspects.   

 Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris and team appeared on behalf of the Attorney General’s Department and Criminal Investigation Department Director Nishantha de Zoysa also appeared during the proceedings.  
After the submission the Magistrate directed the Court that charges which were filed against the suspects were bailable offences.    Meanwhile, after the granting of bail a group of ETI depositors had attempted to create a fracas in front of the Courts and the Police had taken measures to control the crowd.