CID informs Magistrate Hizbullah tests positive for COVID

• Detained lawyer was to be produced in court yesterday, but CID opposed due to COVID-19 contraction  

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) didn’t produce the detained Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah yesterday before the Fort magistrate, as he has been tested positive for COVID-19.

Hizbullah’s wife, attorneys and the Court were informed by officers of the CID that he would be produced yesterday at 2.00 p.m. at the Fort Magistrates court. 

Officers of the CID informed the court staff that they intend on producing Hizbullah, following which Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage had made order that the case be taken up. The news of production came after Romesh De Silva PC supported a writ application for lawyers’ access and made representations on behalf of Hizbullah. Earlier, a writ application was filed by the detainees’ lawyers before the court of appeal seeking access to detainee Hizbullah. Lawyers said they have had no access to Hizbullah since the time of his arrest. 

Romesh De Silva PC with Shanaka Cooray, Niran Anketell and Harith De Mel instructed by Sanath Wijeywardena appeared on behalf of the petitioner in the case. However, this afternoon lawyers and court staff were informed that Hizbullah will not be produced as he has tested positive for COVID-19.