Sarath Fonseka assassination attempt suspects received bail after 17 years but were re-remanded after failing to meet the conditions.
Two suspects in the Sarath Fonseka assassination attempt case received bail after 17 years in remand custody but remained detained after failing to meet the conditions.
Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala granted bail to Shanmugalingam Suriyakumar and Thambaiya Prakash, also known as “Dhanush”.
The court issued the order after considering a direction arising from a motion filed before the Court of Appeal.
The two suspects face allegations that they aided and abetted an LTTE suicide bomber who targeted former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka.
However, they could not deposit the Rs. 200,000 cash bail and provide four sureties valued at Rs. 50,000 each. As a result, the judge ordered that they be re-remanded.
The court also ordered both suspects to surrender their passports. They must report to the Terrorism Investigation Division on the second and fourth Sundays of every month.
Get Breaking News First
on WhatsApp
Sarath Fonseka assassination attempt dates to 2006
The case relates to the April 25, 2006 suicide bombing near the entrance to Army Headquarters in Colombo.
An LTTE suicide bomber identified as “Durga” detonated explosives in an attack aimed at killing the then-Army Commander.
The bombing seriously injured Fonseka. Several members of his security detail and civilians also died in the attack.
The Attorney General later filed 230 charges against the two suspects in connection with the incident. The maximum punishment attached to those charges is 20 years in prison.
The case has continued for years, leaving both suspects in remand custody for approximately 17 years before the latest bail order.
Suspects faced charges in other attack cases
Authorities also accused the two suspects of aiding and abetting the assassination of former Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.
They were further charged over an alleged attempt to assassinate former President Maithripala Sirisena.
However, the court acquitted both suspects in the Jeyaraj Fernandopulle assassination case.
The court is scheduled to announce its bail decision in the case involving Sirisena on August 7.
Selvarasa Kirubakaran, also known as “Morris”, is the principal suspect in that case. He is already serving a prison sentence following another conviction.
No bail application has been filed on Kirubakaran’s behalf.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Lakmali Karunanayake represented the prosecution during the proceedings.
A legal team that included Attorneys Suranga Bandara and Arnold Priyanthan appeared for the defence.
Although the High Court approved their release in the Sarath Fonseka assassination attempt case, the two suspects will remain in custody until they fulfil the financial and other bail requirements.
