X-press Pearl Data Wipe: Two IT Officers Released On Bail

COLOMBO (News 1st); Two officials from the IT division of the local agent of the X-press Pearl vessel, were released on bail today (11) after being arrested on suspicion of erasing data and email records following the ship’s fire incident.

The suspects, Prasanna Jayawardena (Director) and Roshan Senaviratne (Assistant Director), were granted bail by Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Migara Mahrachchi, under two personal sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each. 

A foreign travel ban was also imposed on both individuals.

The arrests followed a forensic investigation conducted by the Department of Computer Studies at the University of Colombo, which reportedly revealed that the suspects had deleted the vessel’s data systems. 

Representing the Attorney General’s Department, Deputy Solicitor General Madhava Tennakoon stated that the authorities are now seeking to conduct a forensic audit with the assistance of an international university.

He further noted that the Minister of Justice is currently working to obtain Cabinet approval for the audit.

Counsel representing the suspects argued that their clients had already provided statements to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on multiple occasions. 

He also pointed out that other suspects in the case have already been released on bail, and requested similar consideration for his clients.

After reviewing the submissions, the Additional Magistrate ordered the release of both suspects on bail. 

The case has been scheduled to be heard again on September 24 at 2:00 PM.