When the eight suspects including Anuradhapura Mayor H.P. Somadasa held in connection with the bomb attack on the house of UNP Trade Union Federation Secretary and Tambuttegama PHI Ananda Weragoda during the 1999 Presidential Election campaign were produced before the Tambuttegama Magistrate on June 24, Magistrate Mrs. Ramila Nadeeshani refused bail and re-remanded them till July 8.
Apart from Anuradhapura Mayor Somadasa, the other suspects are Gramasevaka D. L. Jagath Chandrasiri, Rajangane Farmers Organisation President Nihal Wanniarachchi,Vice-Chairman Rajangane Pradeshiya Sabha M. Saman Nilmini Weerasinghe, SLTB driver Udahamulle Kankanamlage Ranjith Premalal, Talawa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman T.M.Indika Udayakumara Tennakoon and former North Central Provincial Council Chairman T.M.R.Siripala. Attorney Mahesh Kotuwella who led the team of Defence Counsel said the other suspect wanted in this connection Degigamage Premasiri alias Ukkuwa would surrender to court and produced him in court.
He submitted that Police had erred in requesting the suspects to be remanded when the Attorney General had still not submitted his final report on the incident. He said the other suspect wanted by Police also surrendered to court and as such prayed that suspects be released on adequate bail conditions. He also submitted that Police action in this regard seemed to be lackadaisical and also prayed that the Anuradhapura Mayor and Talawa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman be allowed to attend financial committee meetings of their councils. Magistrate Ramila Nadeeshani who firmly rejected bail re-remanded the suspects till July 8. She also ordered Anuradhapura Prison Superintendent Rohana Galappaththi to enable the Anuradhapura Mayor and the Talawa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman to attend the Financial Committee meetings of their Councils under prison escort. She also directed the Tambuttegama Police to expedite investigations into this matter and obtain the Attorney General’s advice on the matter within a fortnight.
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