Nadeemal and Amal Perera to apply for bail

Colombo (News 1st): Attorney-at-Law Shabdika Wellappili appearing for singer Amal Perera and his son Nadeemal Perera, currently in remand custody in Dubai, says an application for bail will be made very soon. Speaking to News 1st, Attorney-at-Law Shabdika Wellappili said Amal Perera and his son were remanded until the 28th of February. Attorney Wellappili noted that the singer and his son claim that they had not consumed any narcotic substance in Dubai as it had only been 48 hours since they arrived. However, he said that the public prosecutor accepted that Attorney Wellappili could request for bail. Wellappili went on to note that they are hoping to submit a bail application within a week. We inquired from Attorney-at-Law Shabdika Wellappili of the legal proceedings regarding the other suspects who are in remand custody. He said that he was informed at the public prosecution office that a lawyer based in Dubai had met the other suspects in remand custody. Wellapili added that he is not aware as to who will represent the accused. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the situation is monitored by the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu-Dhabi. The group was arrested along with narcotic substances at a hotel in Dubai on the 4th of this month. Meanwhile, a woman sustained injuries from a shooting that took place in Malwatte, Grandpass yesterday (Feb 14). According to police, the woman is identified as Asha Fari alias Kudu Chooti and she is believed to be the mistress of Kanjipani Imran, who was arrested by Dubai Police along with notorious underworld leader and drug kingpin, Makandure Madush. The police stated that a gunman had broken into her house last night and opened fire at the woman. Subsequently, the gunman had fled the scene with another person on a motorcycle. Fari's son said that they fired four shots injuring her head, leg, chest and hand. He noted that she had been receiving death threats and that the police had informed her to be cautious. He alleges that it was G Kumba who broke into the house and shot his mother. He noted that they installed CCTV to the house because of all the death threats. He said that those who shot his mother worked for Kanchipani Imran and they know the person well. When questioned if Kanchipani Imran is connected to Madush he noted that they are all in the same group. He added that Imran was also closely associated with the family. The woman who sustained injuries is currently receiving treatment at the ICU of the National Hospital, Colombo.