Suspects in Hambanthota Port protest case to be indicted

The case filed against 41 suspect, who were arrested during a protest against the sale of the Hambantota International Port, was called before the Hambantota Chief Magistrate's Court today.

Hambanthota Chief Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara ordered that the case be forwarded to the Hambantota High Court and that indictments be served on the suspects on the November 16. 

Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa and 41 others are named as suspects in this case.

Thirty-five defendants, including MP D.V. Chanaka, former MPs Upali Kodikara and Prasanna Ranaweera, and former Provincial Council Member Ajith Prasanna, appeared in court today.

The Hambantota Chief Magistrate noted that steps were taken to conclude the case at the Hambantota Magistrate's Court, where it had been pending for nearly ten years, and to refer it to the High Court.

In addition, the Chief Magistrate directed the prison authorities to produce Namal Rajapaksa, who is currently in prison, before the High Court on the 16th to be served with the indictments.