A former Army soldier who had been in remand custody for nearly seven months over the alleged rape of a trainee specialist doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been released on bail.

The order was issued by Anuradhapura Magistrate Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya.

The suspect, identified as K. B. Madhuranga Rathnayake, a resident of New Town, Galnewa, was released on strict bail conditions.

The court ordered his release on a cash bail of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of Rs 500,000 each. One of the sureties must be a close relative of the suspect, as directed by the Chief Magistrate.

The Magistrate also strongly warned the suspect not to interfere with witnesses or the ongoing investigations and imposed a travel ban preventing him from leaving the country.

However, despite being granted bail in connection with the alleged rape incident, the former soldier remains in remand custody due to a separate case involving the possession of a live hand grenade discovered at his residence.

Police investigations revealed that the grenade was found during a search conducted jointly by the Galnewa Police and the Special Task Force (STF) at the suspect’s home following the alleged rape incident.

The Anuradhapura Police informed the court that extracts of the investigations into the rape case have already been submitted to the Attorney General.

Meanwhile, the Magistrate ordered that the smartphone belonging to the survivor — a trainee doctor — which was recovered by police after being allegedly stolen and hidden by the suspect, be sent to the Government Analyst for examination and report.