May 9 Black Monday attacks: three persons including MP Sanath Nishantha granted bail

Three persons including MP Sanath Nishantha who were remanded over the Galle Face incident on May 09 were ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The Magistrate ordered to release the suspects on two sureties of Rs. 10 million each and imposed a travel ban. 

When the case was taken up in court, representing the Attorney General’s (AG) Department Senior Deputy Solicitor General (SDSG) Dilan Ratnayake informed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had arrested 28 suspects in connection with the incident.  

He also informed the court that the CID has recorded 767 statements from various officials and individuals, including former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. SDSG Ratnayake further stated that four senior officers attached to Sri Lanka Police had handed over their official and personal mobile to the CID following the court order. 

SDSG Ratnayake further stated that the AG’s Department received the psychiatrist reports pertaining to a statement made by suspect Johnston Fernando at the Temple Trees to the effect of “let’s get rid of this (the protest sites) if the President cannot,” on the day of the attacks. 

He also requested the Magistrate to name Moratuwa Municipal Councilor Pradeep Sriyantha Fernando, Sajith Saranga and Thusitha Sampath Nanayakkara as the suspects and added that two of the above-mentioned suspects are currently avoiding their residential addresses and another suspect Sajith Sranga had already left the country. 

Accordingly, the Magistrate named those three individuals as the suspects in the case and imposed a travel ban on them. 

“The investigation into whether the SDIG Deshabandu Tennekoon and other officers had neglected their duties in connection with the incident has been completed and received to the AG’s Department. It has been revealed that 42 officers were presented at a discussion held via zoom in the morning of the incident and statements have already been recorded from 25 officials who participated in the above meeting,” he said. 

President's Counsel Upul Jayasuriya representing the aggrieved party informed the Magistrate that the second mastermind character behind the attack was Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon. He further stressed that the Galle Face attack had planted the seed for the violent situations that arose in the country on May 9.

He further stated the Criminal Investigation Department has not been able to arrest him till today. " IGP C.D.Wickramaratne had earlier stated that he does not have the power to transfer an SDIG, and such action should be taken by the Public Services Commission”, He added. 

PC Upul Jayasuriya emphasized that the question arises as to why the law that applies to the public does not affect the police. "He will not be arrested because of his image. Who is pressuring him not to be arrested?", He further added.

He requested the Magistrate to name SDIG Tennakoon as a suspect in the case.

President’s Counsel Maithree Gunarathne also appearing on behalf of the aggrieved party informed that SDIG Tennakoon sent a letter to the CID on May 23 commenting on a statement made by the IGP. The SDIG mentioned in his letter that the statements were given by him and the IGP were contradictory and asked for the opportunity to give them statements again.