Sri Lankan national denied bail variation

The High Court today denied the application by Jagath Karunaratne in relation to his bail variation.

The variation to the bail was sought to enable Karunaratne to travel to Sri Lanka to attend a religious ceremony.

However, High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo ordered that the earlier ruling by Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili be overturned.

Chief Magistrate Ratuvili had earlier allowed Karunaratne to go to Sri Lanka.

Justice Temo today ruled that the accused is not to leave Fiji until the case is completed and he will be given the reasons in writing in relation to his ruling on the 31st of this month.

Karunaratne who is originally from Sri Lanka is charged with writing seditious comments at various locations within Suva last year.

Karunatne wants to attend a special prayer ceremony in memory of his parents on July 14th and to visit his brother who is recovering from surgery in Sri Lanka.

However, the State has opposed the application, saying Karunaratne is originally from Sri Lanka, holds dual citizenship and has an incentive to abscond bail as he faced a serious charge.

The case is adjourned to the 26th of this month.


Story by: Tokasa Rainima