‘SF Lokka’ released on bail

Iron Ranasingha alias ‘SF Lokka’, the main suspect in the murder of nightclub owner Wasantha de Zoysa in Anuradhapura, has been granted bail by the Anuradhapura High Court, after more than a year in remand custody. 

He was ordered released on a cash bail of Rs 100,000 and two personal bail of Rs 500,000 each by High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne, under strict bail conditions. 

Alexander Wasantha Wickrama de Zoysa, an ex-Karate champion who is said to be the owner of several Guinness World Records, was hacked to death by a gang during a brutal attack on his night club on October 24, 2015. 

Several individuals including the manager of the nightclub were injured following the attack, which also resulted in large scale damages to the property. 

Iron Ranasingha, an army deserter, and 35 other suspects were arrested in connection with the murder several days later and remanded. The other suspects were released on bail previously while the main suspect remained in remand custody for over a year. 

SF Lokka had joined the Army on March 2, 2007 and had reportedly deserted his post at the Special Forces Regiment on June 15, 2015.