Sri Lankan court again rejects bail to student union leader

The Colombo Magistrate's Court today rejected the bail application of Udul Premaratne, the Convener of the Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JV) affiliated Inter University Students Federation (IUSF).

Premaratne was arrested last month for forcibly entering into the Higher Education Ministry premises with a group of IUSF members and causing damages to public property. He has been in remand since his arrest.

The counsel appearing for Premaratne plead to the court to grant him bail under a special circumstance as he was scheduled to attend a conference in Johannesburg later this month, local media reported.

The police have objected to the bail appeal saying that the investigations are still ongoing.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli has denied the bail request and ordered to remand further until November 26.