The CID today (July 23) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that they have found material violating the Obscene Publications Act from the computers seized from the office premises of Srilankamirror.
The CID informed this when Colombo Additional Magistrate Prasanna Alwis took up the case on the raid of www.srilankamirror.com and www.srilankaxnews.com.
The CID searched the office and arrested nine staff members of the two websites on June 29 on a warrant issued by the Colombo magistrate’s court.
Nine computers seized from the premises were handed over to the University of Colombo Computing School.
The CID informed the court that the UCSC has handed over a report on the current investigations.
IP Anura de Silva said that only three computers have been probed so far and requested a month’s time to complete the probe.
Defence laywer Upul Kumarapperuma strongly voiced his objection and charged that the CID was attempting to retain the computers and to close down operations of www.srilankamirror.com.
The magistrate ordered the CID to release the computers once investigations are complete.
IP Anura de Silva further said that the CID required to obtain statements from the suspects including Srilankamirror editor Kelum Shivantha Rodrigo again.
Granting permission for this request, the magistrate ordered the CID to summon the suspects after issuing prior notice.
The case will be taken up again on August 10.
SLM