Vimal released on 5 lakh bail

The Kaduwela Magistrate's Court has ordered the release on bail of National Freedom Front leader, former Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa, and another suspect (the person who brought the bouquet of flowers), who were arrested by the Talangama Police on charges of obstructing police duty during a tense situation with state officials near the Battaramulla War Heroes' Memorial. The court has ordered their release on two personal bail bonds of five hundred thousand rupees each.

The former MP arrived at the Talangama Police Station this morning to give a statement regarding this incident, which occurred the day before the National War Heroes' Commemoration ceremony held on May 18th. The police recorded a statement from him, after which the arrest was made. The police had previously reported facts related to this incident to the court, and after the arrest, the suspects were taken out of the police station and produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court.

Meanwhile, the Colombo Magistrate's Court ordered that further evidence in the case filed against Mrs. Shashi Weerawansa, wife of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, regarding the charge of obtaining a diplomatic passport irregularly using forged documents, be heard on July 24th. When this complaint was called today before Colombo Additional Magistrate Liyan Warusavithana, the defendant Mrs. Shashi Weerawansa, who is currently on bail, also appeared before the court.

When this case was called previously, the lawyer appearing for the defense had pointed out to the court that they needed to examine the computer system related to the relevant computer-generated documents before leading evidence in the trial. The lawyer had also argued that the case could not proceed as they had not yet been granted such access under the Evidence Ordinance. However, during today's hearing, the Deputy Solicitor General representing the Criminal Investigation Department informed the court that the documents referred to by the defense were not computer-generated, but merely scanned documents stored in the data system.

Nevertheless, the Deputy Solicitor General further stated that a notice under the Special Provisions on Evidence Act would be submitted to the court today to provide the necessary access to examine the relevant computer system, as requested by the defense. In response, the defense lawyer stated that they intend to make submissions on this matter through a motion in the future. Accordingly, after considering the facts, the Magistrate ordered the further hearing of the case to be postponed until July 24th.