Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amaraseena today (16) ordered the release of 12 suspects—10 females and 2 males—who were previously arrested and remanded on suspicion of aiding and abetting terrorists responsible for the suicide bombing attacks on Easter Sunday.
The Counter-Terrorism Investigation Division (CTID) had reported the facts to the court on December 11, 2020. The suspects, including Sinthi Satuna, Rauff Fatima Sara, Lebbe Rishana, Saligu Junai Teesya, Kasim Mataniya, Fatima Shahida, Imrahim Sarda, and Mohamed Irfan and Mohamed Shafan, were arrested, detained, interrogated, and subsequently remanded.
After the suspects appeared in court, CTID officers informed the court that investigations concerning the accused’s involvement in extremist terrorist activities had been completed and the case was forwarded to the Attorney General.
Following instructions from the Attorney General, the CTID submitted on April 9 that they would conclude the proceedings in this matter. The suspects’ lawyer requested an order to return seized items, including mobile phones, taken during their arrest.
In response, CTID officers informed the court that arrangements would be made to return six mobile phones to the suspects. After reviewing the submissions from both parties, Additional Magistrate Amaraseena ordered the release of the suspects and directed that the seized items be returned to them.
