Former Akuressa PS Chairman’s bail plea: AG seeks further time

Accordingly, Court of Appeal two-judge-Bench comprising Justice Menaka Wijesundera and Justice Neil Iddawala fixed the revision application for August 23.

Saruwa Liyanage was sentenced to 15 years Rigorous Imprisonment by Colombo High Court for allegedly raping an underaged girl had filed this application seeking an order to release him on bail.

Filing this application through President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne with counsel Darshana Kuruppu the accused-appellant stated that the conviction of the High Court can not be sustained as the victim during the High Court trial had categorically denied the accused committed rape on her.

Former Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman has already filed an appeal seeking the jurisdiction of Court of Appeal to review and set aside his conviction and the rigorous imprisonment imposed by the High Court on January 17, 2020.

Filing this revision petition through counsel Dharshana Kuruppu, the petitioner is seeking an order to revise Colombo High Court’s order to refuse to grant bail on him.

The petitioner said the main victim of the case has categorically denied that the Petitioner committed rape on her and thereby he urged this fact be considered as an exceptional circumstance.

The petitioner further said that he is more vulnerable to the corona virus disease (COVID-19) and especially its ‟new variant, as there are many inmates who have tested positive for the virus.

The Attorney General had filed an indictment against the former Chairman of the Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha Saruwa Liyanage Sunil for allegedly raping an underaged girl in Akuressa between May 23, 2012 and July 2, 2012.