• The Magistrate’s Court granted bail under the Witness Protection Act

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

Former Parliamentarian J. Sri Ranga held in remand custody for eight months was yesterday granted bail by Vavuniya High Court.   Sri Ranga was arrested upon an allegation of threatening to a witness in an accident matter before Vavuniya High Court. Investigations were being conducted with the direction of Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court in respect of the said allegations.

Even after the introduction of Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, No. 10 of. 2023 the Vavuniya Magistrate refused to grant bail since the case regarding purported allegation was filed during previous act was in force. Meanwhile, Ranga’s bail application to Court of Appeal was pending and the Court of Appeal ordered that Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court has the Jurisdiction to grant bail under the new act and accordingly Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court granted bail in the Witness protection act.  

Upon receiving bail from Magistrate’s court Sri Ranga applied to High Court to get the bail cancellation lifted.   
Accordingly, High court Judge M.M.M. Mihal ordered that Sri Ranga be released on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 with two surety bail.   

Senior Counsel Chaminda Athukorala with Counsel Iresh Senevirathna, Sanjaya Marambe, Prathap Welikumbura appeared for Sri Ranga.