The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (28 February) released on bail social media activist Chirantha Amarasinghe, who was arrested by the Cinnamon Gardens Police on several charges including allegedly obstructing the duties of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) officers, and videotaping its headquarters on Monday (27 February).

Amarasinghe, who was arrested by the Cinnamon Gardens Police on Monday evening, was produced before Colombo Magistrate Prasanna Alwis. He had been arrested by the Police for allegedly having obstructed the duties of the SIS officers, and having videotaped its headquarters.

The Police informed the court that allegations of acting against the Government with the intention of provoking the public, the criminal coercion of Government employees, and wrongful obstruction in accordance with Sections 120, 332 and 344 of the Penal Code have been made against the suspect.

However, lawyers representing Amarasinghe informed the court that their client had been arrested by the Police when he had attempted to submit a letter pertaining to a request made under the Right to Information Act to the SIS headquarters. Considering the explanations made by both parties, the Magistrate ordered that the suspect be released on a surety bail of Rs. 50,000.