The Colombo High Court ordered the suspension of the order granting bail to former Colombo Additional Magistrate Thilina Gamage which had been issued by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court on June 2.

The order issued by the Colombo High Court Judge, Mahilal Waidyathilaka will be in effect until June 21, after the Colombo High Court considered to suspend the application filed by the Attorney General requesting the order granting bail to Thilina Gamage by Nugegoda Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne.

Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, State Counsel Dileepa Peiris informed court that the Nugegoda Magistrate had functioned in a manner which does not uphold the rule of law, and the general public’s trust in the judiciary.

State Counsel Dileepa Peiris added that the Rs.500,000 bail imposed on Thilina Gamage by Nugegoda Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne, had not been paid on that day but in fact subsequent to that date.

Court had previously ordered former Colombo additional magistrate Thilina Gamage be arrested over the alleged possession of an elephant calf without a permit. After surrendering to the Nugegoda Magistrates Courts, Thilina Gamage was then granted bail.

The state counsel, when addressing court with regard to the granting of bail, had requested Nugegoda Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne that in the event he has any personal ties with former Additional Magistrate Thilina Gamage, to refrain from examining the bail application.

However, State Counsel Dileepa Peiris said that subsequent to Thilina Gamage being granted bail, information had come to light that they maintained a close relationship.

Addressing the Colombo High Court today, the State Counsel informed Court that despite having had an opportunity to recuse himself from hearing the case, Nugegoda Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne had instead, disregarded the law, and had taken advantage of the situation.

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