COLOMBO : The Colombo High Court on Friday, September 24 ordered to re-submit the bail application of former Western Province Governor Azath Salley to the relevant court.
The bail application was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Tillakaratne (Court No. 05) on Friday on behalf of former governor, who has been remanded under the Prevention of Terrorism.
Senior Attorney Wasantha Perera who appeared for the Attorney General stated that indictments have been filed against the defendant in Colombo High Court No. 02.
Accordingly, the Attorney General stated that if the bail application is made before the concerned court, the Attorney General will be ready to present his position regarding the release on bail.
Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Tillakaratne then stated that he was unable to consider the bail application as indictments had already been filed against the accused before another court.
President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, appearing for Salley, stated that he was aware that the Attorney General had agreed in principle to approve the release of the suspect on bail.
However, President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne informed the court that he would withdraw the bail application and re-submit the bail application before the appropriate court.
Accordingly, the High Court Judge allowed the bail application to be withdrawn and subsequently decided to reject it.
Azath Sally has been charged by the Attorney General with two counts of violating the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights by inciting religious strife at a press conference in Colombo on March 9.(with inputs from Colombo Page)