Magistrate orders bail for protestors

Nine protesters, including Attorney-at-law Nuwan Bopage, arrested for allegedly causing damages to the property belonging to the Presidential Secretariat at Galle Face, were today granted bail after being produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court. Each suspect was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs. 10,000 with a surety bail of Rs.500,000 by Colombo Fort Acting Magistrate Jayantha Dias Nanayakkara. Ordering the release of all suspects on bail, the Acting Magistrate observed that Police, have failed to present the necessary documents required to charge the suspects under Public Property Act. Meanwhile, the Acting Magistrate issued an order preventing the suspects from entering the vicinity of the Presidential Secretariat as a bail condition. They were further ordered to assist the Police in ongoing investigations. At the outset of the court proceedings, hundreds of lawyers were present in the Court on behalf of the suspects to provide Pro-Bono services. The protestors were represented by a team of top lawyers, including President's Counsel Saliya Pieris, Rienzie Arsekularatne PC, Sarath Jayamanna PC and Upul Jayasuriya PC. Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara appeared for the Fort Police.