• She was found guilty of 18 counts, including conspiring and aiding in the abduction, threatening, assaulting and intimidation of victim Amila Priyankara after the abduction in Dematagoda 

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

An application requesting former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra be enlarged on bail, in a bail pending appeal, was yesterday fixed for inquiry by the Colombo High Court.  
When the application was called before Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja, the Attorney General filed written submissions against the bail application. Therefore, the matter was fixed for inquiry to be taken up on July 15.  

Hirunika Premachandra, who was jailed for three years for her involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender, has filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal challenging the conviction and three-year sentence imposed by the Colombo High Court.  
Hirunika Premachandra was found guilty of 18 counts, including conspiring and aiding in the abduction, threatening, assaulting and intimidating victim Amila Priyankara after the abduction in Dematagoda. She is the ninth accused in the case, and criminal charges against her proceeded as she pleaded not guilty. The court further imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000 on the accused for each charge.  
The defence is seeking bail in terms of Section 20(2) of the Bail Act (No. 30 of 1997), requesting the release of the accused on bail since an appeal has been filed in the Court of Appeal against the conviction.  
President’s Counsel Nalinda Indatissa appeared for Hirunika Premachandra. State Counsel Vishwa Wijesuriya appeared for the Attorney General.