By Chitra Weerarathne

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitya yesterday granted bail to Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman, Dhammika Ranatunga, suspected of abusing and threatening media personnel near the Colombo High Court No. 7 on March 16, 2016.

The bail was in two sureties of Rs. 100,000 each.

The Chief Magistrate observed that the suspect was in the current post because of his famous brother. In the future the suspect should remember to behave himself.

The Chief Magistrate further observed that the suspect was attached to a state run institution financed with public funds. If that was the manner he conducted himself in a court of law, how he would behave at the Ports Authority.

The OIC of the Keselwatte police station told the court that the complaint had been lodged by Subramanium Gunaratnam of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. The suspect was summoned to the police on March 18.

He had come there in the morning of March 17 along with his lawyers, stayed in his car and informed the police that he was busy in the morning of March 18. He could come there in the afternoon at 3.00 p.m. after seeking legal advice.

Chief Magistrate to police: Are other suspects also given these privileges.

Police: No, your honour.

Chief Magistrate: Why is this discrimination?

Police did not reply then.

The Magistrate ordered the police to take into custody the telephone of the suspect.

Counsel Asela Rakawa said the suspect had behaved in a high handed manner.

Counsel Rakawa said that the suspect should not have been summoned. He should have been arrested and produced like other suspects.

The next date of calling is June 28, 2006.

Courtesy:The Island