Sept 14, Colombo: The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has remanded web journalist Desmond Chathuranga de Alwis, who was arrested for allegedly obstructing court proceedings, until the 24th of this month.

De Alwis was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on 31st August 2020 for allegedly publishing reports which are in contempt of court and the judicial process.

The complaint was taken up before Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today.

The computer investigation division of the CID informed the court that the laptop computer and the telephone used to publish the questionable news item on which the case was based on had been found.

Accepting a request made by the CID, the Magistrate referred the computer and telephone to the Government Analyst for tests and ordered a report.

The CID further informed the court that the investigation has been hampered as the password of the website which published the news item in question has been changed.

Although the suspect’s lawyer requested bail for his client, the Magistrate rejected the bail application.

The Magistrate remanded the suspect until the 24th of this month and ordered the CID to submit a progress report on that day.