Wreath placed near Rambukwella’s house

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis yesterday enlarged on personal bail of Rs 25,000 President of the Medical and Civil Rights Professionals Association Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, who is one of those who allegedly placed a funeral wreath opposite the house of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on 01 Jan.

Through a motion filed by Dr. Sanjeewa’s Counsel Rajitha Lakmal informed the Court that the Cinnamon Gardens Police had reported to the Court that his client was under investigation for, instigating public, criminal intimidation and obstruction, but they had failed to present evidence pertaining to any of the purported charges against Dr. Sanjeewa.

The Counsel told the Magistrate that on 01 Jan, during a protest opposite the entrance to the CID, Police had arrested the doctor and some other suspects who were later produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

During the inquiry, the Cinnamon Gardens Police submitted to the Fort Magistrate’s Court that the Colombo Chief Magistrate had ordered the Cinnamon Gardens Police to arrest three suspects including Dr. Sanjeewa and two others and to produce them before the Chief Magistrate yesterday (05) allegedly for placing a funeral wreath opposite the house of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on January 01.

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, however, had not even lodged any complaint with the police, and there was a complaint made by the Minister’s daughter, who was staying in that house for a business purpose, the counsel argued.

The Chief Magistrate, however, observed that there is a ‘B’ report filed by the Police before the Court, even though the Court had not made any such orders to arrest the suspect. The Magistrate released Dr. Sanjeewa on Rs. 25,000 personal bail.