The Vavuniya Magistrate's court has rejected the bail application filed on behalf of former Parliamentarian J. Sri Ranga. He is currently in remand custody for allegedly influencing witnesses in a fatal traffic accident in Vavuniya in 2011.
Sri Ranga had initially filed for bail in the Court of Appeal, as the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act (2015) had granted bail jurisdiction to the Court of Appeal, with an order expected at the end of the month. However, with the introduction of the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, No. 10 of 2023, the bail jurisdiction shifted to the Magistrate's court.
Despite this change, the Vavuniya Magistrate's court rejected Sri Ranga's bail application, citing that the remand order had been issued under the previous act. Counsel Sanjaya Marambe and Prathap Welikumbura appeared for Sri Ranga in this matter.
Sri Ranga and several others are facing prosecution for causing the death of a person due to a rash and negligent act. Sri Ranga was arrested over allegations of threatening a witness in this accident case. Investigations are ongoing under the direction of the Vavuniya Magistrate's court, and the former Parliamentarian's remand period has been extended until October 19.
