Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member and former MP Hirunika Premachandra has publicly apologized to former MP Ashu Marasinghe, acknowledging that allegations made against him in 2023 were based on doctored evidence.

“I extended my apologies to Ashu Marasinghe at court over the incorrect statements made, causing severe harm to him. Thereafter, we agreed to a settlement to end the case,” Premachandra said, speaking to the media today (19). 

She recounted that on December 23, 2023, Adarsha Karadana met her at the SJB office, claiming Marasinghe had sexually abused her pet dog, showing a video as “evidence.” 

Premachandra said Karadana insisted on a press conference, which was organized with female members of the Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya.

However, following subsequent legal proceedings, Premachandra said Marasinghe clarified that the evidence presented was fabricated. 

“I realised that this woman had acted to take personal vengeance and cause harm to Ashu Marasinghe, and she had utilized us,” she added.

Premachandra noted that she has since attempted to locate Karadana but has been unable to find her. “We do not even know if she is in the country,” she said.

The former SJB MP added that the case has now been settled following discussions between Premachandra and Marasinghe, bringing an end to the dispute. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has granted bail to former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, who was sentenced to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment in June this year. 

Hirunika Premachandra was granted bail by Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja after the bail application filed by the former MP was taken up for consideration today.

In June, the Colombo High Court sentenced Hirunika Premachandra to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment for her involvement in the abduction and assault of a youth using a Defender in Dematagoda in 2015.

The Colombo High Court issued the verdict after deliberating the case filed by the victim Amila Priyankara, who alleged that he was abducted and assaulted by a group of people who came in a black Defender jeep to Dematagoda on December 21, 2015.

Earlier, during the hearing of the case, making a dock statement in court, Hirunika Premachandra had claimed that she was at an event at the time of the incident and that one accused, who had pleaded guilty before the court, had seized her Defender without her consent and utilized it in the said incident. (Newswire)

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The hearing of the bail application filed by former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra has been postponed to 11 July 2024.

The Colombo High Court today postponed the hearing after the Attorney General informed the court that he intends to file objections against the bail application. 

The court was requested to grant time for the Attorney General to provide the objections in writing.

Taking into consideration the request, Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja postponed the hearing of the bail application filed by former MP Hirunika Premachandra. 

In June, the Colombo High Court sentenced Hirunika Premachandra to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment for her involvement in the abduction and assault of a youth using a Defender in Dematagoda in 2015.

The Colombo High Court issued the verdict after deliberating the case filed by the victim Amila Priyankara, who alleged that he was abducted and assaulted by a group of people who came in a black Defender jeep to Dematagoda on December 21, 2015.

Earlier, during the hearing of the case, making a dock statement in court, Hirunika Premachandra had claimed that she was at an event at the time of the incident and that one accused, who had pleaded guilty before the court, had seized her Defender without her consent and utilized it in the said incident. (Newswire)

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The bail application filed before the Colombo High Court by former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra’s lawyers has been fixed for consideration on 04 July 2024. 

The bail application comes after Hirunika Premachandra is reported to have filed an appeal requesting to invalidate the recent verdict issued by the Colombo High Court sentencing her to three years of rigorous imprisonment.

Seeking her acquittal from the case, the relevant appeal has been handed over to the Colombo High Court to forward it to the Court of Appeal.

Last week, the Colombo High Court sentenced Hirunika Premachandra to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment for her involvement in the abduction and assault of a youth using a Defender in Dematagoda in 2015.

The Colombo High Court issued the verdict after deliberating the case filed by the victim Amila Priyankara, who alleged that he was abducted and assaulted by a group of people who came in a black Defender jeep to Dematagoda on December 21, 2015.

During the hearing of the case, making a dock statement in court, Hirunika Premachandra had claimed that she was at an event at the time of the incident and that one accused, who had pleaded guilty before the court, had seized her Defender without her consent and utilized it in the said incident. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court today sentenced former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment for her involvement in the abduction and assault of a youth using a Defender in Dematagoda in 2015.

The Colombo High Court issued the verdict today after deliberating the case filed by the victim Amila Priyankara.

In his case, the complainant had alleged that he was abducted and assaulted by a group of people who came in a black Defender jeep to Dematagoda on December 21, 2015.

On a previous occasion, eight other accused who pleaded guilty to their involvement in the abduction had been given a suspended prison sentence by the Colombo High Court.

However, former MP Hirunika Premachandra was the only one among the accused who maintained her innocence in the case. 

Previously making a dock statement, Premachandra informed the court that on the day of the alleged incident, she had a discussion with former minister Rajitha Senaratne, before attending another event.

She had further said that she was at the event at the time of the incident and that one accused, who had pleaded guilty before the court, had seized her Defender without her consent and utilized it in the said incident. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has issued a notice to former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra to appear before the Court on charges of Contempt of Court.

The notice was issued on Wednesday (Apr 17) by the Court of Appeal two-judge bench consisting of Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dammika Ganepola after hearing submissions made on behalf of the complainant. 

According to the complainant Hisham Jamaldeen, former MP Hirunika had made a statement to the media regarding the order of the Magistrate in granting bail to him, whilst there is an ongoing proceeding before the Magistrate’s Court of Mount Lavinia.

It was submitted that inter alia this is tantamount to interference with ongoing judicial proceedings and an attempt to create suspicions in the minds of the general public towards the administration of justice.

It was claimed that such a statement was contempt of court and an application was made for a ruling to be issued against Hirunika Premachandra for committing the offence of Contempt of Court.

Accordingly, a notice was issued for former MP Hirunika Premachandra to appear before the Court of Appeal on May 08, 2024. 

Nishan Sydney Premathiratne with Gamindu Karunasena, instructed by Sarravanan Neelakandan Law Associates, appeared on behalf of the complainant. (Newswire)

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