Kelum Jayasumana granted bail

Social activist Kelum Jayasumana who was arrested for sharing Mahaviru commemoration posts on social media has been granted bail. 

He has been ordered to be released on bail after he was produced before Colombo Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

During the trial, the officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) stated before the court that the suspect had downloaded and reposted a picture which was initially posted by a French woman on Facebook that contained the proscribed symbols of the LTTE organization.

Stating that this had disrupted public order and ethnic harmony, the officers also stated that no such event had been held in the North. Since the investigation has not been completed, the officers of the CID requested that the suspect be further remanded in custody.

Subsequently, Colombo Magistrate Thilina Gamage questioned the CID officers whether statements confirming that public order had been violated due to this act had been recorded and submitted to the court. In response, the officers of the CID stated that no such statements had been recorded and submitted to the court.

Questioning how the suspect could be further remanded without evidence confirming that a public disturbance had occurred, the Magistrate stated the suspects cannot be remanded further without proper evidence.

The Magistrate further elaborated that suspects could not be remanded based on what they had in mind without presenting evidence to the court, Ada Derana reporter said.

Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the suspect to be released on two surety bails and ordered the case to be taken up again on April 03, 2025.