YouTuber and political vlogger Dharshana Handungoda – who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on 5 February over having released a video which allegedly promoted violence during the public protests which emerged following two protest sites in Colombo being attacked by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) supporters on 9 May 2022 – was granted bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (6).

He was produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday. The Magistrate ordered that he be released on two surety bails of Rs. 200,000 each. He also ordered the relevant case to be taken up again on 17 February.

Handungoda had been arrested by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake at around midnight on 5 February upon arriving in the country from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). He had been arrested on the charge of allegedly failing to record a statement with the CID for releasing a video on social media platforms on 9 May 2022.