The Attorney General informed the Colombo High Court today (08) that it has been decided to detain Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias Harak Kata, a powerful drug trafficker, until the conclusion of his trial under a detention order issued by the Defence Secretary in terms of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Senior State Counsel Sajith Bandara, appearing for the Attorney General, made this announcement when the case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Sujeewa Nissanka.
Earlier, it had been conveyed to the court that the accused would be remanded once the detention order issued by the Defence Secretary expired. However, the State Counsel informed the court today that the Defence Secretary had decided to continue detaining the suspect, citing security concerns.
Attorney Jaliya Samarasinghe, appearing for the defendant, strongly objected to the decision. He pointed out that his client had already been in custody for nearly two years and argued that it was unjust to detain him further under remand orders until the trial concludes, especially when his release had been expected.
The court was informed that the defendant will continue to be held in the custody of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) at the Tangalle Old Prison.
Harak Kata was produced before the court via Zoom, and the hearing was adjourned until the 24th. The other four accused in the case were produced in court today, and prison officials were instructed to produce them again on the next date.
