Driver granted bail after a year in remand over murder of female lawyer

Colombo, Oct. 27 (Daily Mirror) - The Colombo High Court today granted bail to a driver who had been held in remand custody for over a year in connection with the killing of a 36-year-old female lawyer at her residence in Mirihana in 2024.

High Court Judge Lal Bandara ordered the release of the suspect, Jayanath Dheerasinghe, under strict bail conditions, after considering submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.

Accordingly, the suspect was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs. 500,000 with three sureties of Rs. 1 million each. The court also imposed a travel ban on the suspect and warned that the bail would be cancelled if he violated any of the conditions.

The accused was arrested following the brutal murder of Attorney-at-Law Jayani Lakmini de Silva, who was hacked to death with a machete at her home in Pengiriwatta, Mirihana, on September 21, 2024.

Appearing for the suspect, Counsel Jayaba Kalupahana urged the court to grant bail, noting that his client had been in custody for more than twelve months, in violation of Section 16 of the Bail Act, which stipulates that no individual should be detained beyond that period. Kalupahana argued that since his client had already spent over a year in remand, the court had jurisdiction to release him on bail.

However, State Counsel Randima Ranasinghe, appearing for the Attorney General, objected to the bail application. She told the court that under Section 17 of the Bail Act, the Attorney General is empowered to seek an extension of remand beyond twelve months. Ranasinghe noted that the victim had been killed in the presence of her mother and daughter, who would serve as eyewitnesses in the upcoming trial. She further informed the court that the Attorney General has decided to file an indictment against the suspect in the High Court and observed that granting bail could adversely affect the case.

In response, Counsel Kalupahana maintained that there was no evidence to suggest his client had attempted to interfere with witnesses, and any such claim must be substantiated with independent evidence in an affidavit. He also pointed out that the Attorney General’s request for an extension of custody should have been made before the expiry of the 12-month period.

After considering all submissions, Judge Bandara granted bail to the suspect under stringent conditions.

According to police reports, following the murder, Mirihana Police launched an investigation to locate the suspect, who was later arrested by Bentara Police after allegedly attempting to commit suicide by jumping into the Bentara River.