By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 

It has transpired before Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that even after the lapse of three weeks, the Fort Police is yet to keep Rs. 17.85 million in cash recovered from the President’s House, under judicial custody.
Taking into consideration the facts, Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday issued an order directing the OIC of Fort Police to immediately produce in court, a sum of Rs. 17.8 million recovered by protesters inside President’s House on July 9.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage made this order when the four suspects arrested for forcibly entering the President’s House on July 9 were produced before Court by Slave Island Police. 
Defence Counsel who appeared on behalf of the suspects and alleged that police have arrested four individuals out of thousands of people who entered the President’s House following the July 9 incident. They submitted to the court that individuals who acted to hand over the recovered money to the Fort Police have been arrested unreasonably. 

Refusing a request made by Slave Island police to remand the suspect, the Magistrate ordered to the release of each suspect on a surety bail of Rs.500,000. 

President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsakularatne with counsel Sunil Watagala, Chamindri Arsakularatne, Udara Muhandiramge and Nuwan Bopage appeared for the suspects.