Borella church grenade incident : Retired doctor remanded

Doctor Shirley Herath, who was arrested for allegedly planting a hand grenade at All Saints’ Church in Borella was today ordered to be remanded till February 28 after being produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya.

 

When the matter was taken up,Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Piries appearing on behalf of the prosecution informed the Magistrate that seven suspects have been arrested and two of them are still being held at the Colombo Crimes Division and six have been released.

 

“It has been revealed that Dr. Shirley Herath had operated as the person who planned to place hand grenades at the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya, a Private Hospital in Colombo and All Saints Church in Borella,” he also stated.

He said that there was an organized group behind him and further investigations are being carried out to find out whom they were.

Senior DSG Dileepa Piries also noted that charges have been filed against the suspect under the provisions of the Offensive Weapons Act and the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Attorney-at-Law Hafeel Fareez appearing on behalf of the suspect told the Magistrate that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the charges against his client.

The Counsel further highlighted that the Court has no legal power to remand the suspect and his remand was not in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code. After considering the submissions, the Magistrate remanded the suspect until February 28 and ordered that a further investigation report be called on that day.