Recovery of hand grenade at All Saints’ Church in Borella: Retired Doctor released on bail

Retired medical practitioner Dr. Shirley Herath (75) who was arrested and remanded over the hand grenade incident at All Saints' Church in Borella was today ordered to be released on bail by Colombo High Court.

Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Tillekaratne made this order pursuant to a bail application filed on behalf of retired doctor challenging the decision of Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court to refuse bail on the suspect.

Accordingly, the suspect was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs.100,000 with two sureties of Rs.2.5 million each. The court also imposed travel ban against the suspect and he was ordered to surrender his passport to the Court custody. 
Meanwhile, the Attorney General did not raise objections for the application that the suspect be released on bail. 

High Court Judge observed that this bail application had been filed in High Court following the prosecution's decision to drop charges come under the provisions of Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). 

On February 9, the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court ordered the release of Sacristan (caretaker) of All Saints' Church in Borella arrested on suspicion over the hand grenade incident.

On February 2, the Court also ordered the release of a church worker and two others who were arrested regarding this incident owing to insufficient evidence against them. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)