‘Ali Roshan’ and seven others released on bail

By T. Farook Thajudeen

The Colombo High Court yesterday released eight accused, including mastermind Samarappulige Niraj Roshan alias ‘Ali Roshan’, Department of Wildlife Assistant Director Upali Padmasiri and one of its clerical staff, on heavy bail conditions allegedly for hunting and trafficking wild elephants.

The accused were released on Rs. 25,000 cash and on Rs. 5 million surety bail with two sureties on each of the accused by the Special High Court Trial-at-Bar bench.

They were earlier remanded till the adjudication of the case as the Attorney General had not sanctioned to grant bail to the accused.

However, yesterday, when the matter was called before the Court, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara stated before court that the Attorney General had decided not to object to bail to the accused following the request made by the accused’s counsel to the Attorney General. Hence, the Court granted bail to the accused.

The case against ‘Ali Roshan’ is being heard before a three-judge Special High Court Trial-at-Bar bench, consisting of High Court Judges Vikum Kaluarachchi, Dhammika Ganepola and Adithya Patabendi.

On the previous call date, even though the accused’s attorneys-at-law pleaded to release the suspects on bail, the Court refused to grant bail to the accused as Deputy Solicitor General Deleepa Pieris objected to granting bail to the accused.

It is a requirement for the Court to obtain the approval of the Attorney General as per Article 450 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to grant bail to the accused.

The Attorney General had then filed 27 charges against ‘Ali Roshan’ and six other defendants under the Offences against Public Property Act, with regard to the possession of four elephants without licences, and racketeering.

The case will be taken up for trial on 30 August.