Two SL U-19 cricketers arrested for filming two female doctors in bathroom, bail granted

• Narahenpita Police arrested the suspects following allegations that the two cricketers had aided and abetted the two principal suspects connected to the incident

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

Another two members of the Sri Lanka Under-19 National Cricket Team, who were arrested for allegedly secretly filming several female doctors while they were bathing, have been granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.  

The Narahenpita Police arrested the suspects following allegations that the two cricketers had aided and abetted the two principal suspects connected to the incident. On a previous occasion, the police had arrested two other cricketers as the main suspects in the incident, and they are currently out on bail.  

During the Court proceedings, Maithri Gunaratne PC  appearing for the aggrieved party, strongly objected to granting bail. He further requested Court to impose a travel ban on the suspects or, alternatively, to direct that prior notice be given to Court before undertaking any foreign travel while investigations remain ongoing. Gunaratne also urged Court to advise the police to ensure that no videos or digital material currently in the custody of the Narahenpita Police are released or circulated to the public, stressing the importance of protecting the dignity and privacy of the female victims and medical professionals involved in the matter. 

Accordingly, Court advised Police to strictly ensure that no such material is released or allowed to be circulated during the course of the investigations. Senior Counsel, Ian Fernando and Counsel Roshanara Fernando, instructed by Derek Fernando Associates and appearing on behalf of the two suspects, submitted to Court that there was no direct connection between their clients and the principal suspects in the case, and that the two accused had been implicated merely because they had been staying at the premises where the alleged offence had taken place.  

Defence Counsel requested Court not to impose a travel ban at this stage. Counsel assured Court that any intended foreign travel by the suspects would be informed to Court in advance, if necessary.  

Thereafter, the Court granted bail to the two suspects on a personal surety bail of Rs. 500,000 each, with one parent of each suspect ordered to stand as surety. Further magisterial inquiry was fixed for May 25.