SLPPs Sagara Kariyawasam Granted Bail | Court Bans Overseas Travel

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam was released on bail by Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa after being produced before court.

The court ordered that Kariyawasam be released on two surety bails of Rs. 2 million each.

The Magistrate also imposed a foreign travel ban on the suspect.

Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam was summoned to the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau this morning in connection with a statement he made regarding an alleged attempt to assassinate the Inspector General of Police on a public roadway.

The statement in question had been made on August 3.

Presenting the suspect before court, investigating officers informed the Magistrate that Kariyawasam had been arrested and produced under provisions of the Penal Code, including allegations relating to abetment of an offence under Section 102, abetment of an offence punishable by death under Section 108, abetment of acts against the Democratic Socialist Republic under Section 114, provoking disaffection against the Government under Section 120, and issuing threats against a public officer under Section 186.

Investigators further stated that three complaints, including one from the Inspector General of Police, had been received in relation to the matter. They informed court that following the submission of facts on August 6, further investigations were carried out before the suspect was arrested today.

Investigating officers told court that the suspect's statement amounted to incitement and could be interpreted as encouraging the commission of a criminal act, thereby posing a threat to the life of the Inspector General of Police.

Thereafter, President's Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing on behalf of suspect Sagara Kariyawasam, moved for bail.

The Magistrate observed that as a senior political figure and party leader, the suspect had a responsibility to use language carefully in a civilized society and in a manner that promotes public order.

The Magistrate further noted that the statement had been made before the media and that the remark suggesting that the Inspector General of Police could be killed on the road was extremely serious.

Responding on behalf of the suspect, President's Counsel Sampath Mendis argued that the allegations contained in the complaint were unclear.

The President's Counsel also maintained that charges under Section 296 of the Penal Code relating to murder could not be sustained in relation to a person who is alive.

He further submitted that the suspect's statement was not intended to mean that "the Inspector General of Police should be killed," but rather that he "did not wish to see such a thing happen."

In response, the Magistrate stated that the law is duty-bound to protect both human life and property. The Magistrate observed that even telling a judge, "You should not continue hearing this case because you could be attacked and killed," would constitute an extremely serious matter.

The Magistrate then questioned whether the suspect intended to express regret and apologize for the statement made.

At that point, President's Counsel Mendis informed court that the suspect wished to express regret to the Inspector General of Police regarding the incident.

The Magistrate again inquired whether the suspect was offering an apology.

In response, President's Counsel Mendis reiterated that the suspect was expressing regret over the incident, but stopped short of offering an apology.