Vass’ bail cancelled

The bail order, issued by the Fort Magistrate, in favour of former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, in respect of charges against him arising from abusing and threatening CID officers, who carried out investigations into charges against him, was cancelled by Colombo High Court Judge Irangani Perera yesterday (9) and the suspect ordered to be remanded till 31 March.

The accused was produced in the High Court by prison officials. The Attorney General had indicted the accused on six charges of abusing in obscene language and threatening with death ASP Shani Abeysekera of the CID, IP Ranjith Munasinghe and IP Lalith Geetanjana, while on duty on or about 10 June 2013. The Attorney General’s indictment contained the threats used by the accused on the police officers as follows: “I knew you would do this to me. You cannot keep me in remand forever. Shani, I am a murderer. See what will happen to you when I come out.”

When the case was taken up in the High Court yesterday, Counsel Thusitha Gunasekera, appearing for accused, Vaas Gunawardena, informed Court that the charge against his client was only threatening and abusing the CID officers and the offence could be referred to Conciliation Board. Further, as he had already been granted bail by the Magistrate Court, he requested the High Court Judge to grant him bail on suitable conditions.

The AG had informed the Court that as the charges against the accused were of serious nature, he should not be granted bail.
After listening to the counsel’s arguments the Judge refused bail and ordered the accused to be remanded till 31 March. The Judge also informed the counsels, on both sides, that the case will be taken up for trial on 31 March.

(Courtesy: Ceylon Today)