Hirunika released on bail, pending the determination of her appeal

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

Former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, who was sentenced to a three-year jail term in connection with an abduction case in 2015, was granted bail yesterday by the Colombo High Court, pending the determination of her appeal against the conviction and sentence.

Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja ordered the release of Hirunika Premachandra on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 with two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each, taking into consideration an application for bail pending appeal. In addition, a travel ban was imposed on the accused.

Hirunika Premachandra had filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal challenging the conviction and three-year sentence imposed by the Colombo High Court. She was found guilty on 18 counts, including conspiring and aiding in the abduction, threatening, assaulting, and intimidating victim Amila Priyankara after the abduction in Dematagoda.

On November 24, 2017, except Hirunika Premachandra and a schoolboy, seven other accused who pleaded guilty to their involvement in the abduction case were given suspended imprisonment by the Colombo High Court.
The complainant Amila Priyankara alleged that he was abducted and assaulted by a group of people who came in a black Defender to Dematagoda on December 21, 2015.

President’s Counsel Nalinda Indatissa appeared for Hirunika Premachandra, while Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara appeared for the Attorney General.