‘Investigations Must Be Free From Politics’ - Sallay Counsel Tells Court

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Court of Appeal today fixed for August 25 the further consideration of intervening petitions filed seeking permission to present submissions in connection with the writ petition filed by former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Salley challenging his arrest and detention by the Criminal Investigation Department.

The matter was taken up before a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.

Appearing for petitioner Suresh Salley, President's Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena argued that the Janak de Silva Commission appointed to examine matters related to the Easter Sunday attacks had clearly stated that investigations should be conducted free from political interference.

However, he told court that current Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake had stated in Parliament that members of the Catholic community had requested the appointment of Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne to conduct investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks.

President's Counsel Jayawardena further argued that Buddhist clergy did not make similar requests during investigations into incidents such as the Aranthalawa massacre or the attack on the Temple of the Tooth Relic, and alleged that undue influence had been exercised in relation to the current investigations.