Bail refused in tsunami generators theft case

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 08 March 2005, 00:34 GMT]
Trincomalee Magistrate Mr.Manickavasagar Ganesharajah Monday refused bail application for the third suspect Mr.Nimal Dissanayake, Assistant Commissioner of Lands of the Trincomalee district secretariat, in connection with the alleged theft of 12 of the 37 generators donated by the Indian government to supply electricity to temporary shelters for tsunami victims. Mr.Nimal Dissanayake and two other suspects, Mr. Upali Ratnasiri, peon, and Mr.Upulkumara Kodipuli, watcher of the land office, were ordered remand till March 18, legal sources said.

In his five-page order on the bail application by the third suspect, Magistrate Mr.Ganesharajah said "the court considers the allegation of theft of generators meant to provide electricity to tsunami victims living in dark in temporary shelters, a serious matter."

"If the court fails to act hard on errand government official who is charged for stealing generators earmarked for tsunami relief works, it would lead to a state where people would be forced to act against such officials openly. The court does not want such type of action from the public," said the Magistrate.

"Hence I reject the bail application which has been submitted within a short notice, taking into consideration the seriousness of the allegation, the likelihood that the suspect could tamper available evidence in the case and also that allowing the suspect in bail might lead to unrest among the public," said the Magistrate.

Meanwhile, a group of soldiers of the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army stationed inside the Fort Frederick where the Trincomalee district secretariat is also located recovered Saturday the stolen 12 generators from the store of the land department. Soldiers had found the generators buried under a heap of firewood behind the Kachcheri when they were engaged in collecting firewood. On receipt of information, the Trincomalee police rushed to the site and took charge of those generators, police said.