Murder suspect Sairusi Senilawalawa has been granted a $1000 non-cash bail by the High Court in Suva last week. The 45-year-old faces one murder charge and two assault charges and appeared before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.
Senilawalawa is accused of killing Ovasisi Salusalu, 40, on April 21, after Salusalu attempted to intervene in a domestic dispute between Senilawalawa and his partner at Sokoca settlement.
State lawyer Naazish Ali argued against granting bail, citing concerns that the accused might interfere with state witnesses, who include his 40-year-old de-facto partner, as well as his 16-year-old stepson and 27-year-old stepdaughter. The court was informed that, on the day of the incident, Mr. Senilawalawa allegedly instructed his son to dispose of the body.
The court also noted that, despite a domestic violence restraining order issued on June 5 by the Suva Magistrates Court, the de facto wife continued to visit Senilawalawa at the remand center.
Justice Rajasinghe granted bail under standard conditions and reminded defense lawyer Karen Boseiwaqa to alert the investigating officers in case of any interference with prosecution witnesses while the accused is on bail. The case has been adjourned to today.