Is Tissa Getting Bail?
The jailing of journalist Tissainayagam was a travesty and a shame to even our stumbling justice system. He was charged inciting racial violence and supporting the LTTE (basically by saying the North was getting bombed) and the conviction was shoved through. He was sentenced to 20 years hard labor. It was a great suffering for him and his family, and also sent chills through anyone thinking or writing in Sri Lanka. I mean, after that they could basically lock you up for anything. Today, however, I heard from the Daily Mirror that he may be granted bail.
The Attorney General has informed the Court of Appeal that he has no objection if bail is given to Editor and veteran journalist J. S. Tissainayagam who has been jailed for 20 years rigorous imprisonment by the High Court of Colombo.
I’m not sure exactly what this means, it doesn’t necessarily say that he is getting bail. But I hope he is. Will see will see. Would be nice to see the man out for Christmas. Then perhaps Mahinda will get what he wants on January 26th.
Good news.
But, j.s.tissainayagam, will he have the same courage after he comes out?
What does not seem to be getting reported is the fact that despite the AG saying he does not object to bail, the court still didn’t give bail! Instead they set yet another date for further discussion about date (although this is just my lay-person terminology). Why doesn’t the President simply go the whole hog – which is what should be done – and give this poor man the pardon he richly deserves NOW and let him enjoy Christmas out of jail instead of rotting in jail for another 2 or 3 weeks until the next court day?