Court rejects anticipatory bail of Isolace Biotech Pharma owner

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, Oct. 28 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today rejected an anticipatory bail application filed by Sugath Janaka Fernando, the owner of Isolace Biotech Pharma, who is facing serious allegations of importing substandard antibody vaccines into the country.

The application had been filed naming the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) as the respondent.

The suspect had sought anticipatory bail, claiming that the Bribery Commission was preparing to arrest him and hence requesting an order to prevent such an arrest.

Rejecting the application, the Magistrate observed that one cannot seek bail merely on the expectation of being arrested during the process of giving a statement, nor can the court issue an order preventing such an arrest.

The case relates to allegations that substandard and unapproved antibody vaccines were imported into Sri Lanka and distributed among hospitals, thereby endangering patients’ lives.

The application for anticipatory bail was filed by Counsel Harendra Banagala on behalf of the suspect, Sugath Janaka Fernando. 

After considering the submission, the court ordered the rejection of the application.