Court Rejects Fourth Bail Bid By Gta's Ex-Secretary Sugeeshwara

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered that Sugheeshwara Bandara, who served as former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private secretary and is currently in remand custody on suspicion of the criminal misappropriation of funds allocated under the Presidential Expenditure Head, be further remanded until August 25.

The suspect was remanded after the court rejected a fourth bail application made on his behalf.

The case was taken up today before Colombo Additional Magistrate Nuwan Kaushalya.

During the proceedings, President’s Counsel Sanjay Rajaratnam, appearing for the suspect, appealed for bail and informed the court that his client suffers from a serious heart-related medical condition.

Translation of submission made by President’s Counsel Sanjay Rajaratnam:

“The suspect is a heart patient. He suffers from a condition affecting the arteries of his heart, and those arteries have been damaged. He is also suffering from blood poisoning and is currently undergoing treatment for these illnesses. Due to his prolonged period in remand custody, he has been unable to receive the necessary medical treatment in a proper manner. Furthermore, Your Honour, his eleven-year-old daughter is experiencing severe psychological distress as a result of his incarceration and is currently receiving treatment at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo. His twelve-year-old son is also suffering from psychological stress, while the mental condition of the suspect’s mother has likewise deteriorated.”

Officers of the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau opposed the bail application and presented submissions before the court.

Translation of submission made by Investigating Officer

“These factors cannot be regarded as exceptional circumstances warranting the granting of bail. The investigation against the suspect is being conducted under the Public Property Act. New facts continue to emerge through the investigation, and further inquiries are ongoing. Granting bail to the suspect could hinder the investigation. Therefore, we request that the suspect continue to be held in remand custody.”

After considering the submissions made by both parties, the Magistrate rejected the bail application and ordered that the suspect be further remanded until August 25.