Tuesday, 16 July 2013 01:13
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By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday issued an order banning Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Convener Sanjeewa Bandara from entering the premises of any university in the country as a bail condition in connection with a case filed against him last year.
Meanwhile, the IUSF convener was ordered to be released on the previous bail conditions imposed by Court in which he had been ordered to furnish two sureties of Rs. 100,000. However, he will have to remain in custody over two cases filed against him at Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court.
Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) alleged that Bandara had participated in a protest organised by Sri Jayewardenepura University’s students last month and thereby, he had violated the bail conditions imposed on him in a case filed against him last year. Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) Director SSP D.R.L. Ranaweera told Court that the suspect was no longer a student of Ruhuna University and it has been confirmed by the University Vice Chancellor.
He further told Court that the Chairman of University Grant Commission (UGC) had also issued a letter stating the organisation called Inter University Students Federation had been banned from conducting its activities within the universities. Finally, the CCD moved Court that an order be issued banning the suspect from entering university premises island-wide.
The defence counsel appearing for the suspect informed Court that his client is of the opinion that he is the convener of the IUSF. He maintained that the right to protest had been guaranteed by the constitution itself. The defence counsel further argued that it was not his client but a police officer who created a public disturbance at the protest held at the Nugegoda junction last month. Magistrate Thilina Gamage observed that the suspect had the right to engage in any protest representing any organisation, but in a peaceful manner. He noted that this issue was about the violation of bail conditions imposed by a Court and further observed that there is prima-facie evidence to show that he violated them. While ordering the suspect be released on previous bail conditions, the Magistrate ordered him to abstain from entering the premises of any university except if he regained his studentship. Meanwhile, the suspect was ordered to appear before CCD in the first and third week of every month. He was arrested while travelling on a bus on 19 September last year. The CCD also charged that the suspect had provided leadership to block the main road at Olcott Mawatha in Pettah, causing a disturbance to the people and obstructing the normal flow of traffic.
