Hirunika hugs police officers to embarrass them: The police told the magistrate that it was part of her criminal behaviour

Former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra used to hug police officers during public protests as a tactic to make them uncomfortable, police told the court today.   ASP Nevil de Silva appearing with Cinnamon Garden police informed the court that on a number of occasions Hirunika Premachandra used to give hugs to the police officers who were on duty and he further said this is an act police believe is her modus operandi (a pattern of criminal behaviour).   ASP Silva made these remarks while presenting before the Court 15 suspects who were arrested for committing a number of offences during a protest held at Colombo 7 on last Monday (14).   Police further said the suspects were arrested for organising a procession without prior permission and obstructing police officers from performing their duties while being members of an unlawful assembly.   Defence Counsels Thusitha Gunasekera, Athula Ranagala and Gunaratne Wanninayake appearing for the suspects submitted to the court that their clients had performed a street drama to make people aware of the oppression of women by the authorities. They contended that their clients had been arrested while exercising their fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution and denied committing any offence contrary to existing laws.   Having heard the submissions by both parties, fifteen suspects including the National Organiser of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Women's Wing and former MP Hirunika Premachandra were ordered to be released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court. Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe ordered each suspect to be released on a cash bail of Rs.10,000 with a surety bail of Rs.5 million.