16 suspects granted bail in Mannar case

Sixteen suspects, who were held in remand custody for their alleged involvement in the mob attack targeting the Mannar Court complex, were enlarged on bail by the Mannar Magistrate yesterday.

They were released on a cash bail of Rs.10,000 and two sureties of Rs.500,000 each by Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake.

About 40 suspects were held in remand custody for allegedly been involved in the July 18 mob attack on the Mannar Court complex. At a previous occasion, the Mannar High Court had granted bail to six suspects.

When the case came up before Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake, Counsel Asith Siriwardane, Rasika Balasuriya under the instructions of counsel Shiraz Noordeen moved Court that the suspects be released on bail since they had no intention of causing damages to the Court Complex. The defence further argued that their clients did not even lead the mob and as such they be released on bail. “Not only the court complex, several other buildings in the area were

Not only for the court complex, several other buildings in the area were also damaged due to the mob attack

also damaged due to the mob attack. So it is clear that they did not have an intention of damaging the Court complex,” the defence argued.

Having considered the submissions, the Magistrate ordered that the 16 suspects be released on bail and further magisterial inquiry into the matter was fixed for December 17.