Weerawansa arrested, released on bail over war heroes’ monument incident
COLOMBO – Former Minister and National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa was on Monday (25) granted bail by the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court hours after being arrested by Thalangama Police over an incident near the National War Heroes’ Monument in Battaramulla.
The court granted Weerawansa release on a surety bail of Rs 500,000 following his arrest when he arrived at the Thalangama Police Station to provide a statement regarding the incident that occurred on May 18.
Police had earlier announced that legal action would be initiated against a group, including the former parliamentarian, over allegations of obstructing rehearsals conducted in preparation for the National War Heroes’ Day commemoration.
According to police, a group of around 35 individuals, including Weerawansa, allegedly attempted to enter the National War Heroes’ Monument premises without authorization during official rehearsals and preparatory arrangements for the main ceremony. Reportedly, they had wanted to pay floral tributes to fallen soldiers commemorated for their role in Sri Lanka’s military operations.
Officers stationed at the site reportedly prevented the group from entering and later removed them from the area, citing disruption to official duties and scheduled rehearsal activities.
This led to a heated exchange between police and supporters gathered at the site.
Video footage circulating on social media showed Weerawansa falling to the ground during a scuffle as police attempted to push the group back from the restricted area.
Two individuals at the scene were subsequently detained and placed in a police vehicle. Weerawansa later entered the same vehicle, after which the two detainees were released by the police.
-ENCL
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