Court rejects bail for Sri Ranga

A bail application filed on behalf of former Parliamentarian J. Sri Ranga, who is currently held in remand custody for allegedly influencing the witnesses of a fatal traffic accident in Vavuniya in 2011 has been rejected by the Vavuniya Magistrate's court.

Sri Ranga had filed an application for bail in the Court of Appeal as the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act (2015) had specified the bail jurisdiction to the Court of Appeal and the order in this regard to be delivered on the end of this month.

However, after the introduction of Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, No. 10 of. 2023, the bail jurisdiction has been transferred to the Magistrate's court.

However, the bail application filed on behalf of the former Parliamentarian was today rejected by the Vavuniya Magistrate's court as the remand order has been done under the previous act. Counsel Sanjaya Marambe with Prathap Welikumbura appeared for Sri Ranga.

The prosecution filed action against Sri Ranga and several others for causing the death of a person by a rash and negligent act. Sri Ranga was arrested over the allegation of threatening a witness in this accident case.

The investigations are being conducted with the direction of Vavuniya Magistrate's court in respect of the said allegations and the former Parliamentarian was in remand custody for a period around seven months.

Former Parliamentarian's remand period has been extended till October 19.