Lanka e News editor Sandaruwan Senadheera, who was arrested yesterday (11), was released on bail today (12) after being produced before court.
His arrest was reportedly carried out after he was named as a suspect in connection with a case currently being heard before the court. Following his arrest, he was produced before the judiciary, where submissions on his behalf were presented by Attorney-at-Law Upul Kumarapperuma.
During the court proceedings, the defence informed the court that Senadheera has been living overseas for many years and has continued his media activities from abroad. After considering the submissions made by both sides, the court ordered that he be released on bail.
It is also noteworthy that in 2010, journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, who worked for Lanka e News, was kidnapped and presumably killed by the military. The case filed against a number of military personnel for abducting and killing him is still ongoing.
Following these incidents and citing concerns for his personal safety, Senadheera left Sri Lanka and has since been operating and managing the Lanka e News website while residing abroad.
Around the same period, the media institution’s office was also targeted in an arson attack.
Further legal proceedings related to the case are expected to continue in court.