Colombo HC issues interim order against granting bail to IGP and former Defence Secy

The Colombo High Court yesterday issued an interim order against granting of bail to Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

IGP Pujith Jayasundara

Former Defence Ministry Secretary Hemasiri Fernando

The Attorney General filed a revision application before the High Court against the Magistrate’s Court order granting bail to the suspects. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) and former Defence Ministry Secretary were arrested for failing to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks that left more than 250 people dead, despite intelligence warnings ahead of the bombings. 

Jayasundara and Fernando were informed to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 2 July. However, the IGP was admitted to the Police Hospital in Narahenpita while the former Defence Secretary was admitted to the Coronary-Care Unit (CCU) at the National Hospital Colombo.

A group of CID officers visited both hospitals later and arrested the duo and they were subsequently placed in remand custody.

Jayasundara and Fernando were released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne on 9 July. The Colombo Magistrate Court granted bail citing insufficient evidence to hold the two officials responsible for the attacks and censured the Attorney General’s Department and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for not carrying out in depth investigations, including recording statements from the suspects, before charges were framed and they were arrested. 

Earlier this week the CID questioned Fernando for nine hours.