Sri Lanka, Aug. 1 -- A bail application filed by former North Central Province (NCP) Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon and his then personal secretary Shanthi Chandrasena, was yesterday fixed for inquiry on August 25 by the Colombo High Court.

The accused, who have been convicted and sentenced to 16 years' rigorous imprisonment for illegally obtaining a fuel allowance exceeding Rs. 2 million, when Samarakoon was Chief Minister, sought their release on bail.

When the bail application was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Sahan Yapa Bandara, President's Counsel Ali Sabry, appearing for the accused, informed the Court that his clients had filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal challenging the prison sentence imposed by the Colo...