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Bail refused in stripping case

From Nalin Fernando
Wariyapola Magistrate, Mrs. K. B. Ranaweera refused bail to the two suspects in the Wayamba election campaign incident of alleged assault and humiliating a woman in public by stripping her, although Katupotha police, who arrested them, raised no objections to the defence plea for bail.

The two suspects, Nalin Sujanaka Perera, a Wariyapola Pradeshiya Sabha (PA) member and Lal Premasiri of Hanhamunawa, near Wariyapola were identified by the complainants at an identification parade held on Thursday.

Mrs. Ranaweera observed that the time and atmosphere prevailing was not conducive for bail to be granted and invoked section 14 of the Bail Ordinance to refuse bail and further remanded them till March 11.

The Wariyapola courts, which is usually host to humdrum small town litigation such as cattle and coconut theft, illicit liquor brewing, wife/child maintenance and neighbourly threats and intimidation was all aflutter last Thursday when a case which has evoked national interest came up.

The new Wayamba Chief Minister, S. B. Nawinna, with a throng of PA supporters carrying garlands anticipating bail for two party stalwarts in the area crowded the court premises. Armed police stood by. Later posters appeared in the Wariyapola bazaar area urging the release of the two suspects. Other posters castigated certain sections of the press for a vilification campaign against the two suspects.

The suspects were arrested last week and remanded pending the identification parade fixed for Thursday. The state media reported the arrest on Tuesday and stated that President Kumaratunga had instructed the IGP to probe the incident and make arrests regardless of the suspects' stature.

Mr. C. Rekawa, the attorney appearing for the prosecution told court that the police were not objecting to bail because of pressure from higher authorities.

He said that the prosecution had no faith in the Katupotha police and cited section 124 of the Criminal Procedure Code while asking the investigation to be handed over to the CID.

The magistrate said she will give an order on that plea also on March 11.

Attorneys Rekawa and Nalin Dissanayake appeared for the complainants, one of whom is Mr. Justin Galapatti, a Southern Provincial Council member (UNP) while Attorney Sunil Ameratunga appeared for the defence.

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