Human Rights activist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa was granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate today, with a personal bond set at Rs. 25,000.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Prasanna De Alwis, Dr. Sanjeewa's Counsel Rajitha Lakmal presented a motion regarding his arrest during a protest on January 1st near the CID entrance. The Counsel highlighted discrepancies in the police's assertion before the Fort Magistrate's Court that Dr. Sanjeewa had been ordered for arrest by the Chief Magistrate, which was found to be false upon verification.
It was revealed that the Cinnamon Garden Police, purportedly acting on such an order, detained Dr. Sanjeewa and others for allegedly placing a funeral wreath outside the residence of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwell on January 1st. However, no such complaint was lodged by Minister Rambukwella, aside from a complaint made by his daughter.
The Chief Magistrate noted the existence of a police report ('B' report) despite the absence of any court order for Dr. Sanjeewa's arrest. Consequently, the Magistrate granted bail to Dr. Sanjeewa, citing the court's lack of jurisdiction to release the suspect at this stage. The case was adjourned until March 11th.
