UPDATE: 78 people remanded over acts of unrest

Colombo (News 1st): Namal Kumara, the operations director of an anti-corruption outfit who was arrested at the Warakapola Police yesterday (May 14) was handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department today (May 15). In addition, Amith Weerasinghe from the Mahason Balakaya and Suresh Priyasad alias Dan Priyasad from the Nawa Sinhale National Organization were arrested yesterday over acts of unrest and unruly behaviour. Amith Jeewan Weerasinghe's arrest Amith Jeewan Weerasinghe was produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Salani Perera for releasing false information on the internet and he was remanded until May 28th. The Colombo South Corruption Investigation Unit informed courts that the suspect had released information on the internet that would harm reconciliation between the different religions. Detectives added after 04/21l he had summoned 07 to 08 people to his residence for meetings & investigations are underway to determine whether those meetings were the root for the incidents of unrest in Minuwangoda, Wariyapola and Kuliyapitiya areas. Investigations are being conducted against Amith Weerasinghe based on a complaint lodged by Parakrama Bandara, a resident of Rajagiriya. Suresh Priyasad's arrest Dan Priyasad who was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division for unruly behaviour causing disharmony among communities was released on two surety bails of Rs. 500,000 each. He was ordered to appear before the Colombo Crimes Division every Sunday Morning. Nine suspects further remanded Meanwhile, nine other suspects who were produced before the Narammala Tourist Court were further remanded until the 24th of next month. The arrested suspects include 3 from Kuliyapitiya and 5 from Katupotha and Dummalasooriya. Five suspects were produced before the courts under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Kuliyapitiya Magistrate Janani S. Wijethunge said the suspects will be produced before an identification parade on the 24th. The other three suspects were charged with causing unrest. 31 arrested from Koswatte remanded 31 people who were arrested from Koswatte, Wennappuwa were produced at the Marawila Magistrate's Court and were remanded until May 29th. The suspects had been charged under Section 25 of the Gazette 2120/5 of 2019. Update on arrests regarding unrest and unruly behaviour Meanwhile, during the press briefing at the Ministry of Defence Police media spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara said that 78 suspects were arrested in connection with the tense situations that took place in Kurunegala, Kuliyapitiya, Nikarawetiya and Chilaw and all of them have been imprisoned after being produced to the respective courts. Update on arrests regarding 04/21 attacks He added that at present the 65 suspects arrested in connection with the April 21st attacks, are currently held by the CID and being interrogated and another 20 suspects are in the custody of the terrorist investigations department. Accordingly, he said in total, there are 85 suspects in the custody of the CID and TID. Speaking regarding the wife of the suicide bomber, Zahran Hashmi, SP Gunasekara noted that she is also in the custody of the CID and is currently receiving treatment. He added that as there is no other guardian for her daughter, she remains with her mother. According to the Police spokesperson, a suspect who had connections with a suicide bomber was wanted by security forces. He noted that after drawing 4 pictures of the suspect and sharing it with the general public they were able to arrest the wanted individual. He said the suspect has been identified as Mohamed Adam Lebbe, a resident of New Kathankudi. He went onto note that security forces discovered 17 safe houses used by the terrorists and the CID has also identified 7 locations, which were used as training camps and workshops.