Wartime Naval Intelligence Chief Mohotti, too, given bail
By Sujeewa Thathsara
Kurunegala High Court judge Tikiri Jayatilleke yesterday (14) said that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) acted in an illegal manner in respect of former Navy Commander Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, arrested in connection with a post-war disappearance.
The HC judge said so while granting bail to Ulugetenne who also served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Cuba following his retirement.
Ulugetenne was remanded by the Polgahawela Magistrate after the CID arrested him in July.
Kalinga Indatissa, PC, counsel for Ulugetenne, told court that his client had served the Navy for 38 years. Declaring that the CID had arrested Ulugetenne only on the basis of an ex-LTTE intelligence leader’s statement, Indatissa sought bail for Ulugetenne while emphasising the arrest had been made without sufficient evidence.
HC judge Jayatilleke also granted bail to retired Rear Admiral Sarath Mohotti, who served as the wartime Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI). Mohotti, too, has been arrested in connection with the same investigation.
The judge ordered Rs 5,000 cash bail for each and Rs 1 mn surety bail each.