Wanni district parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen, who was held in remand custody in connection with Easter Sunday attacks, was today ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate.
The Magistrate released parliamentarian Bathiudeen since the Attorney General did not raise any objection.
Bathiudeen was arrested by CID on April 24, 2021 for allegedly committing offences prescribed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
While ordering the suspect to be released on bail, Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage observed that the consent of the Attorney General is required to grant bail on a suspect arrested under section 7(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Accordingly, former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was released on two sureties of Rs. 5 million by Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage. The Magistrate further issued an order preventing the suspect from leaving the country and he was ordered to appear before CID once every two weeks.
President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne moved court to release the suspect on bail on whatever bail condition the court may deem fit. He further submitted to court that the copies of written submissions relating to bail application have been forwarded to the prosecution as well for their perusal.
Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoon appearing for the CID informed Court that the Attorney General has consented the release of the suspect on bail taking into account the written submissions filed by defence seeking bail.
Taking into consideration the facts, the Magistrate ordered the suspect to be released on bail. The further magisterial inquiry into the matter fixed for January 26 next year.
The CID had reported to Court that they were conducting investigations into the issuance of a license to the copper factory of Inshaf Ahmed, the bomber who carried out the suicide bombing at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel on Easter Sunday, 21 April 2019, while Rishad Bathiudeen was functioning as the Minister of Industry and Commerce.
Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen, held in remand custody over the death of a 16-year-old domestic aide at his residence was also granted bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya ordered the Parliamentarian to be released on two sureties of one million rupees each. The Additional Magistrate made this order following the Attorney General’s submissions that preliminary investigations into the incident have been concluded by police.
