UPFA MPs released on bail

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs walk out of the court complex after being granted bail yesterday 

– Pix by Shehan Gunasekara

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya released 27 individuals on personal bail when they appeared in court yesterday on contempt of court charges concerning a protest staged in front of the Bribery Commission.

The protest was organised on 23 April to condemn the decision to summon former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for questioning. The protest was held despite a court order prohibiting it. 

Dullas Alahapperuma, Bandula Gunawardena, Janaka Priyantha Bandara, Roshan Ranasinghe, Sarath Weerasekara, Udith Lokubandara, Jayantha Ketagoda, Weerakumara Dissanayake, Gamini Lokuge and S.M. Chandrasena were the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs who were issued notice to appear at Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday. 

Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Western Provincial Councillors Udaya Gammanpila and Roger Seneviratne were also issued notice along with them.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate also issued notice to several Buddhist monks, including former Religious Affairs Coordinating Secretary to the President Ven. Watinapaha Somananda Thero, Public Service United Nurses’ Union Chairman Muruttettuwe Ananda Thero, Sunethra Devi temple Chief Prelate Ven. Medagoda Abayathissa Thero, Convener of the Ravana Balaya Ittekande Sadda Tissa Thero and General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thero.