The Attorney General has decided to appeal against the Colombo High Court’s ruling that charges cannot be maintained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act against the five accused, including Nadun Chinthaka alias “Harak Kata”, who are accused of conspiring to escape while in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department.
State Counsel Sajith Bandara, who appeared for the Attorney General, stated this in court when the case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala.
The State Counsel stated that more time is needed to present the defendants’ bail applications and that it is not appropriate to consider the bail application at this time as an appeal is to be filed against the relevant order.
The State Counsel also stated that the Attorney General expects to file written objections as problems may arise in re-presenting the defendants to the court if they are released on bail.
However, the lawyers appearing for the defense pointed out that the bail applications cannot be postponed based solely on the statement that an appeal will be filed.
Having considered the facts presented, the court informed that the order regarding the defendants’ bail applications will be announced on August 20 and ordered the government to file any objections within a week.
Meanwhile, since the charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act have been dropped, the court has also ordered that “Harak Kata”, who is being held at the Tangalle Old Prison, be detained in another suitable prison.