The order in the bail application filed by former Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman SaruwaLiyanage Sunil was today reserved for April 5 by the Court of Appeal.
Saruwa Liyanage was sentenced to 15 years of Rigorous Imprisonment by the Colombo High Court for allegedly raping an underage girl in 2012. He has filed a bail application pending his appeal in the court of appeal.
Accordingly, the Court of Appeal bench comprising Justice Menaka Wijesundera and Justice Neil Iddawala reserved the order for April 5.
Saruwa Liyanage, who was sentenced to 15 years of Rigorous Imprisonment by the Colombo High Court for allegedly raping an underage girl, had filed this application seeking an order to release him on bail.
Filing this application through SarathJayamanne PC with counsel Darshana Kurupputhe accused-appellant, stated that the conviction of the high court cannot be maintained, as the victim during the High Court trial had categorically denied the accused committed rape on her.
Former Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman has filed an appeal seeking the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to review and set aside his conviction and the rigorous imprisonment imposed by the High Court on January 17, 2020.
The accused-appellant is seeking to revise the order by the Colombo High Court to refuse to grant him bail.
The accused-appellant said the main victim of the case has categorically denied that he committed rape on her, and thereby he urged this fact to be considered as an exceptional matter. The petitioner further said that he is more vulnerable to the coronavirus disease (COVID 19) and especially its? new variant, as there are many inmates who have tested positive for the virus.
The Attorney General had filed an indictment against the former Chairman of the AkuressaPradeshiya Sabha Saruwa Liyanage Sunil for allegedly raping an underage girl in Akuressabetween May 23, 2012, and July 2, 2012.
