Van driver arrested following Ratmalana police chase granted bail after one month

Colombo, Nov.26 (Daily Mirror) - A van driver who was arrested last month following a dramatic police chase in Ratmalana was granted bail today by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, after spending nearly a month in remand custody.

The suspect, Ruchira Bandara, a resident of Medirigiriya, was arrested on October 25 near the Golumadama Junction after allegedly failing to stop at a police checkpoint, prompting officers to pursue the vehicle and open fire. He was subsequently produced before court on multiple allegations, including attempted murder, possession of a knife, possession of Madana Modaka and several traffic-related offences.

On Monday (24), Defence Counsel Jayaba Kalupahana moved for bail, arguing that police had failed to submit any material or sample of evidence to substantiate the attempted murder charge under Section 300 of the Penal Code. Kalupahana submitted to court that no victim had been identified to support such a serious allegation.

Having considered the submissions, Magistrate Pasan Amarasekera ordered the police to present the required evidence pertaining to the attempted murder charge. The Magistrate observed that the police had not provided the court with any supporting material to justify the accusation and accordingly decided to grant bail.

The suspect was released on two sureties of Rs. 1 million each and was also placed under a travel ban. The Magistrate further directed that the magisterial inquiry be continued on January 14 next year.