Seven more GotaGoGama protesters released on Rs. 500,000 bail

• One suspect to be produced for an identification parade

By T. Farook Thajudeen

The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday released seven suspects who were produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate Court allegedly on charges of trespassing, unlawful assembly and damaging public property at President’s House, Temple trees and at Presidential Secretariat Fort on 9 July. They were released on Rs. 500,000 personal bail.

Another suspect who was alleged to have videoed sciences at Beira Lake during the incident at Galle Face GotaGoGama was remanded till 25 August in order to produce her for an identification parade.

The Police producing the suspects told the Magistrate that they are investigating further to find out how the suspects had been involved in the incident and pleaded to remand them as the investigations on the suspects were not yet concluded.

However a team of lawyers appearing for the suspects submitted that there was no indication of any of the offences committed by the suspects in the “B” reports and objected to remanding the suspects without substantial evidence.

The Counsel also asserted that visuals of the suspect who allegedly videoed scenes at the Beira lake was telecasted in TV and in Social Media. Therefore, provisions in law do not allow the Court to remand the suspect for an identification parade as she had been already exposed to the public

The Magistrate observed that there are provisions in law to produce the suspect for an identification parade and remanded her till 25 August.