A revision application filed by former AkuressaPradeshiya Sabha Chairman Saruwa LiyanageSunil, seeking an order to release him on bail was today fixed for March 8 by the Court of Appeal.
Saruwa Liyanage was sentenced to 15 years Rigorous Imprisonment by the Colombo High Court for allegedly raping an under aged girl in 2012.
The Court was informed that the Attorney General has already filed objections against the revision application and sought further time for the inquiry.
Accordingly,a two judge bench of the Court of Appeal Justice Menaka Wijesundera and Justice Neil Iddawala fixed the revision application for March 8.
Saruwa Liyanage was sentenced to 15 years Rigorous Imprisonment by the Colombo High Court for allegedly raping an under aged girl had filed this application seeking an order to release him on bail.
Filing this application through President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne with counsel Darshana Kuruppu the accused-appellant stated that the conviction of the high court cannot be sustained as the victim during the High Court trial had categorically denied the accused committed rape on her.
Former Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman has already filed an appeal seeking the jurisdiction of Court of Appeal to review and set aside his conviction and the rigorous imprisonment imposed by theHigh Court on January 17, 2020.
The accused-appellant is seeking an order to revise Colombo High Court’s order to refuse to grant bail. The accused-appellant said the main victim of the case has categorically denied that he committed rape on her and thereby he urged the fact be considered as an exceptional circumstance.
The petitioner further said that he is more vulnerable to the corona virus 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 under aged girl in Akuressabetween May 23, 2012 and July 2, 2012.
