Former MP Sri Ranga gets bail in May 9 arson attack case

Former Member of Parliament J.Sri Ranga, who was named as a suspect in the case of setting fire to the house belonging to President Ranil Wickremesinghe

on May 9, 2022 was produced before the court yesterday (3). Acting Magistrate of Colombo Fort Ilangasinghe Bandara yesterday ordered to release him on personal bail of Rs. five million and a cash bond of Rs.20,000.

J.C. Ranga who is on remand in connection with another case according to the previous court orders was presented to court by the Prison officials.

Presenting the suspect, the Criminal Investigation Department informed the court he had led the protests along with suspect Yvonne Perera, who went abroad a day after the incident.

The CID requested court to further remand the suspect, pointing out that the demonstration led by the suspects had turned into a riot and that he had committed a number of offences including trespassing and obstructing government officials by being a member of an illegal assembly and by damaging property. The lawyer who represented him said that his client is a journalist and CEO of Swarnavahini Media Network. He had gone there for media coverage and asked the court to release his client on suitable bail since the investigation into the incident has been completed and about nine months have passed since the incident.

The magistrate accepted the request and released the suspect on bail and ordered the case to be called on May 31.