The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (10) rejected the bail application filed by Major (Retired) Ajith Prasanna and two other naval intelligence officers.
Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage also ruled that the three defendants will be further remanded until the 24th of March, Colombo.
The three defendants including Ajith Prasanna are accused of holding a press conference and intimidating witnesses in the case against several navy officials over the abduction and disappearance of 11 youths.
On February 28, the defence attorneys had submitted a bail application to the Additional Magistrate on behalf of their clients.
The defence attorneys had argued that no evidence was presented to the court, proving that the their clients had violated the provisions of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Protection Act and emphasized that the statements made by the defendants at the press conference in question are not in violation of the aforesaid Act.
However, delivering the verdict today, the Additional Magistrate ruled that the bail application will be dismissed.
He has instructed the Attorney General and the Criminal Investigation Department to file complaints with the Appeals Court if the statements made by the three defendants at the said press conference are in contempt of court.
