• Magistrate postpones case to 17 June

Trincomalee High Court Judge N.M.M. Abdullah yesterday (11) ordered the release of 10 individuals, including four Buddhist monks currently held in remand custody over an unauthorised construction within a coastal zone, on a cash bail of Rs 10,000 each and two personal bails of Rs 1,000,000 each per person.

The High Court Judge, who stipulated the sureties signing the bail must be individuals who satisfy the Magistrate, strictly warned the defendants not to interfere with witnesses or investigations. Additionally, the High Court Judge cautioned that they must appear in court on the dates specified by the Magistrate and refrain from obstructing public and religious activities, stating that bail conditions would be cancelled if one or more of these conditions were breached.

The monks granted bail are: Balangoda Kassapa Thera, President of the Eastern Bhikkhu Front; Trincomalee Kalyanavansatissa Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Trincomalee Sambuddha Jayanthi Vihara; Trincomalee Sukitha Sukithawansatissa Thera, Registrar of the Trincomalee Town and Gravets Sasana Rakshaka Balamandala and Incumbent of the Boralukanda Rajamaha Vihara; Trincomalee Nanda Thera, resident of the Trincomalee Anandarama Vihara.

Attorneys-at-law Nuwan Indunil Bellanthudawa, Mahesh Kotuwella, Sanjeewa Weerawickrama, Madhumali de Alwis, Manoj Aravinda Sebastian, and Mahendra Dias, appearing for the defendants to secure bail, argued extensively that this was an exceptional case. Representing the Attorney General, State Counsel Kalana Kothalawala stated the facts submitted were not exceptional and that this was not an exceptional case.

Following the bail order from the High Court, the case was recalled before Trincomalee Magistrate M.S.M. Samsudeen. After announcing the relevant bail orders and conditions for the defendants individually with translations, the Magistrate postponed the case until 17 June. The Harbour Police informed the court that five more suspects are to be arrested in connection with this case, and the Magistrate issued summons for them. 

Expressing views at the end of the proceedings, Attorney-at-law Sanjeewa Weerawickrama stated that he sincerely appreciates the support provided by the Trincomalee High Court Judge, the Trincomalee Magistrate, and the court staff regarding this case. A delegation from the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, including its President Nimal Chandra Wakista, attended the proceedings. The group granted bail departed for the Sambuddha Jayanthi Vihara in a bus belonging to the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress.