Court orders to release 14 suspects in case over damaging Buddha statues in Mawanella

Mawanella Magistrate Dhammika Hemapala on the instructions of the Attorney General has ordered the release of 14 suspects who were remanded for more than three years for allegedly damaging Buddha statues in several temples in and around Mawanella area.

The court on Thursday ordered the release of the 14 suspects as per the instructions signed by Senior Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Navana PC on behalf of the Attorney General, who has determined that these suspects could be released as there is no intention to take legal action against them.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has arrested 46 suspects in connection with the vandalising of the Buddha statues and they have been remanded till now.

The CID informed the court that the Attorney General has filed indictments against 16 of the suspects and investigations are yet to be completed on another 10 suspects.

Accordingly, court granted bail to seven of the suspects whose investigations have not been completed on personal bail of Rs. 1 million each.