Former minister Wimal Weerawansa was arrested on Monday after arriving at the Thalangama Police Station to record a statement over the disruption of activities at the National War Memorial in Battaramulla earlier this month.
Weerawansa was produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court later the same day and released on a surety bail of Rs. 500,000, Ada Derana and NewsFirst reported.
In a post on social media, Weerawansa said he had been taken into custody by a special police team. Police had summoned him to appear before the Thalangama Police on Monday after he failed to present himself the previous day.
The arrest stems from a tense standoff on May 18, when Weerawansa and a group of supporters attempted to enter the National War Memorial during rehearsals for the Victory Day commemoration. Police said the group obstructed the rehearsal and interfered with officers on duty, and announced that legal action would follow against Weerawansa and roughly 35 others.
The case had moved through the courts in the days before the arrest. On May 20, the Kaduwela Chief Magistrate’s Court directed police to complete their investigation and gather adequate evidence before formally naming anyone as a suspect. Weerawansa’s counsel, attorney-at-law Kamal Wijesekara, told that court his client was prepared to appear voluntarily, and the former MP had publicly stated he was “ready to face any legal action.”
Weerawansa, a prominent opposition figure and former leader of the National Freedom Front, is simultaneously facing proceedings in the Fort Magistrate’s Court over a 2016 protest-related case and in the Mallakam Magistrate’s Court over a firearm-related matter.
Sources: Newswire, Ada Derana — produced before court, Ada Derana — granted bail, NewsFirst — granted bail.
