The revision application filed by former CID Director Shani Abeysekara seeking an order to enlarge him on bail was today re-fixed for inquiry on May 19 by the Court of Appeal.
When the application came up before Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Menaka Wijesundera and Justice Neil Iddawala, counsel appearing on behalf of ShaniAbaysekara reiterated the importance of hearing this petition as early as possible due to deteriorating health condition of his client.
Accordingly, the Court of Appeal re-fixed the application to be heard before original bench comprising Justice Nissanka BandulaKarunaratne and Justice R. Gurusinghe on the19th of May.
Shani Abaysekara was arrested and remanded for allegedly fabricating evidence in the murder of businessman Mohammed Shiyam.
Meanwhile, the revision application filed by Sub Inspector Sugath Mendis seeking an order to release him on bail was also fixed for inquiry on the same day.
Filing revision applications through their lawyers, the petitioners requested the Court of Appeal to revise and set aside the order made by the Gampaha High Court judge refusing bail and sought an order to grant bail to the petitioners on any condition that court shall seem fit. The Gampaha High Court had refused to release the two suspects on the 8th of December 2020.
The petitioners stated that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with conditions in the prison system, their physical health, safety and life are at an aggravated risk if kept in remand and that they have already been exposed to and contracted COVID-19 while in remand, and were fortunate to have survived it.
Shani Abeysekara was arrested by CCD for allegedly fabricating evidence in the murder of businessman Mohammed Shiyam in 2013 in which then DIG Vass Gunawardena and several others were sentenced to death for committing and conspiring to commit murder.
