The Police constable accused of allegedly assaulting attorney Gunaratne Wanninayake at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court premises on October 10 was granted bail today, while the case was referred to a settlement board for further proceedings.
Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara ordered the release of Police Constable Tharinda Dilhara on two surety bonds of Rs. 100,000 each. The court also directed that the matter be referred to the Mediation Board for possible reconciliation between the parties.
Representing the attorney who got assaulted, President’s Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe informed the court that the defence agreed to a settlement process.
Police Inspector H. T. M. Tushara told the court that investigations had not found evidence of a physical assault and that CCTV footage from the courthouse had been requested. However, the court was informed that the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court CCTV system is currently non-functional.
The lawyers representing the aggrieved party informed the court that there are videos where it claimed that suspect accepted he had assaulted the lawyer.
The suspect’s lawyers maintained that the video of the incident circulating on social media could not be taken as conclusive proof, arguing that artificial intelligence tools can manipulate such content.
The constable was earlier remanded until October 13 after being arrested on October 10 over allegations that he assaulted an attorney following an argument related to removing a vehicle from the court premises.
A large number of lawyers from the Colombo and Mount Lavinia Bar Associations were present in court today.
Outside the courthouse, a group of people gathered to welcome the police officer as he was released on bail. (Newswire)
