By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

A bail application filed on behalf of former  Parliamentarian J. Sri Ranga, who is currently held in remand custody  for allegedly influencing the witnesses of a fatal traffic accident in  Vavuniya in 2011 has been rejected by the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court.  

Sri Ranga had filed an application for bail in the Court of  Appeal as the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and  Witnesses Act (2015) had specified the bail jurisdiction to the Court of  Appeal and the order in this regard to be delivered at the end of this  month.  

However, after the introduction of Assistance to and  Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, No. 10 of. 2023, the  bail jurisdiction has been transferred to the Magistrate’s Court.  

However, the bail application filed on behalf of the former  Parliamentarian has been rejected by the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court as  the remand order has been done under the previous act. Counsel Sanjaya  Marambe with Prathap Welikumbura appeared for Sri Ranga.  

The prosecution filed action against Sri Ranga and several  others for causing the death of a person by a rash and negligent act.  Sri Ranga was arrested over the allegation of threatening a witness in  this accident case.  

The investigations are being conducted with the direction  of Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court in respect of the said allegations and  the former Parliamentarian was in remand custody for a period of around  seven months. The Former Parliamentarian’s remand period has been  extended till October 19.