"Among those remanded was the father of the abducted child, Mahinda Ekanayake. The child’s mother, Shiromi Sudeshika Herath, was enlarged on Rs 5000 cash bail and surety bail of Rs 500,000."

By Manel P Hewage and Sanjeewa Rathnayake
Sixteen persons, who had allegedly attacked the vehicles of attorneys appearing for the five suspects alleged to be involved in the abduction of Dinidu Yashen Lankanath Kumara Ekanayake of Meegalawa, Galgamuwa, were ordered to be remanded until the 26th by Galgamuwa Magistrate Ruwan Dhammika Dissanayake yesterday.

Among those remanded was the father of the abducted child, Mahinda Ekanayake. The child’s mother, Shiromi Sudeshika Herath, was enlarged on Rs 5000 cash bail and surety bail of Rs 500,000.

The magistrate also ordered the suspects to be produced for an identification parade.
Meanwhile, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka condemned the alleged attack on lawyers in Mahawa. “It is very unfortunate that the Police have been ineffective in controlling a mob that attacked the vehicles belonging to the lawyers who appeared on behalf of the five suspects in this case that was heard in the Magistrate’s Courts in Mahawa,” President of the Association Upul Jayasuriya said in a statement. “It is the duty of lawyers to appear for every person who is in need of legal services and advice in court and outside court. Those in the legal profession are duty bound to provide a person or persons accused of a crime the best possible defence.. If a lawyer refuses to render his services he could be disciplinarily dealt with by the Supreme Court.”

 “This has been upheld in the past in the connection with Chief Inspector Watmore's case where the lawyers who refused to appear were directed by the Supreme Court to show cause. Some times it could be an unpleasant task. Even when a judge was killed the accused was represented by lawyers. It is the duty of an attorney,” he said.