Ven Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero and three others released on bail

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayarathne released on bail 4 members of the clergy including Venerable Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero against whom arrest warrants had been issued. The order was issued when Venerable Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero presented himself in court today (Sept 3) through a lawyer. Accordingly, Venerable Iththakande Sadhdhathissa Thero, Venerable Mahagalkande Sudhaththa Thero and Venerable Madalle Panyaloka Theros were released on sureties of Rs 150,000 each. The theros have been charged with destruction of public property during a protest held in Fort, Colombo on the 7th of November 2016. The case had been filed by the Fort Police. Warrants were issued for their arrest on Friday (Aug 31) due to the failure of the theros to appear in court. The case was postponed till the 7th of December, the theros were also ordered to provide a statement to the Fort Police.