Hambantota Mayor released on bail

Mayor of Hambantota Eraj Fernando, who was arrested and remanded for allegedly attempting to assault a suspect in police custody, has been released on bail by the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court.

Hambantota Chief Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara ordered that the suspect be released on two personal bails of Rs 1 million each, Ada Derana reporter said.

The case was postponed until June 24.

Fernando was arrested on April 29 in connection with the alleged assault incident and kidnap attempt that took place inside the Ambalantota Police Station in March 2014.

During the presidential election in December 2014 the police arrested the Mayor for an attack on a street drama group performing in Hambantota in support of common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

During that attack a well-known singer Jayathilaka Bandara, the Opposition Leader of the Hambantota Municipal Council Ayub Khan, a journalist Sampath Samarakoon and an organizer of the performance Prasanga Fernando were injured and hospitalized.