The Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday observed that the Members of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to look into alleged political victimization of public servants are continuously acting contrary to the aspirations of the President who appointed this commission to investigate incidents of political revenge.
The Trial-at-Bar Bench comprising Colombo High Court Judges Vikum Kaluarachchi (President), Dhammika Ganepola and Aditya Patabandige observed that the members of the Presidential Commission have unnecessarily intervened into the Trial-at-Bar hearing by hampering free and fair judicial process.
The Trial-at-Bar bench further observed that the conduct of the members of the Presidential Commission is an insult to the President since they are acting contrary to the President’s aspirations.
The Trial-at-Bar bench maintained that the case filed against Samarappulige Niraj Roshan alias ‘Ali Roshan’ and seven others does not come under the purview of this Presidential Commission since no accused in this case had made complaints to this Presidential Commission over political revenge.
The Court had earlier issued summons directing Pearl Weerasinghe, the Secretary of the Presidential Commission to appear in court along with the investigation briefs pertaining to the CID investigation which are currently placed at the Presidential Commission.
“We are only asking for these investigation briefs for the purpose of testifying CID officers who initiated investigations. We will be returning these briefs to the Commission once these witnesses concluded their evidence. We are of the view that this Commission is acting contrary to the aspirations of President,” High Court Judge Vikum Kaluarachchi said.
Meanwhile, Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara informed court that the Attorney General is expecting to institute necessary legal action regarding this issue in a higher court.
He said the conduct of the members of the Presidential Commission is tantamount to contempt of court and thereby necessary legal action will be taken in this regard in due course.
Courtesy: Daily News
