Strict bail conditions for ‘Ali Roshan’, seven others

• The AG had not objected to bail for the suspects

By T. Farook Thajudeen   

The Colombo High Court special trial-at-bar yesterday released -- eight accused including mastermind Niraj Roshan alias ‘Ali Roshan’, Wildlife Department’s Assistant Director Upali Padmasiri and a clerk -- on strict bail conditions.

They were produced in Court on charges of hunting and trafficking in wild elephants and each of the suspects were released on a cash bail of Rs.25,000 with two sureties of Rs.5 million each.  When the case was taken up for hearing yesterday, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara informed the trial-at-bar bench comprising High Court Judges Vikum Kaluarachchi, Dhammika Ganepola and Adithya Patabendi that the Attorney General would not object to the suspects being released on bail while on the previous date Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris objected to bail.  

The suspects were charged on 27 counts under the Public Property Act after they were found in possession of four elephants without licences.  

The case will be taken up for trial on August 30. 

They were produced in Court on charges of hunting and trafficking in  wild elephants and each of the suspects were released on a cash bail of  Rs.25,000 with two sureties of Rs.5 million each