The Colombo High Court has directed authorities to move organised crime figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, known as 'Harak Kata', to a high-security facility while ruling that charges against him should be prosecuted under general criminal law rather than counter-terrorism legislation.
The Colombo High Court has ordered the transfer of organised crime figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias 'Harak Kata', from his current detention at Tangalle Prison to an appropriate high-security facility. The directive was issued by High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala during proceedings involving Wickremeratne and four co-accused, who face allegations of conspiring to orchestrate an escape while in Criminal Investigation Department custody.
In a significant legal development, Judge Ragala ruled on July 30 that the charges previously filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act could not be sustained. The judge determined that any prosecution should instead proceed under provisions of the Penal Code. Following this decision, the Attorney General has signalled an intention to appeal the ruling, according to statements made during court proceedings.
The judge scheduled August 20 for a hearing to deliver an order on bail applications filed by the defendants. As the terrorism-related charges have been effectively removed through the court's determination, authorities have been instructed to facilitate Wickremeratne's relocation to a facility equipped with appropriate security measures. The Attorney General is expected to clarify whether amended indictments will be filed under the Penal Code framework, with the court to be notified of any such developments.
