Inter-University Student Federation (IUSF) convener Wasantha Mudalige, who has been remanded under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, was ordered to be further remanded till January 31 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis yesterday.
The Magistrate ordered both parties to submit written submission before the Court before January 24 as well. When the matter was taken up before the Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatta,
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appearing on behalf of the Attorney General’s Department requested the Magistrate to transfer the hearing of this case to another court. SDSG Dileepa Piries noted that four investigating officers including the Director of the Terrorism Investigation Division have submitted four affidavits pertaining to certain incidents that took place on November 11 and November 22.
“The investigation officers have mentioned in their affidavits that during a previous hearing, the Additional Magistrate had given money through a judicial officer to buy Sustagen milk powder and certain Ayurvedic medicines to Galwewa Siridamma Thera while the Thera was ill”, the SDSG added.
In reply, the Magistrate stated that it was a help given to a monk for humanitarian reasons at that moment.
“Accordingly, the Inspector General of Police requested the Attorney General to take necessary actions regarding this incident.The Attorney General’s Department will hand over those four affidavits along with the letter sent by the IGP, to the Judicial Service Commission”, SDSG Dileepa Peiris further added. SDSG Dileepa Peiris also handed over the copies of those four affidavits before the Magistrate as well. He stated that information cannot be disclosed in open court.
President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris appearing on behalf of Wasantha Mudalige raised objections towards the request made by the Senior Deputy Solicitor General.
“If the Attorney General wants to change the court in this way, they have the ability to make a request based on the provisions of the Judiciary (Organization) Act. However, the request made by the SDSG is not in accordance with the legal framework. It is not fair to influence the judicial officers in this manner”, PC Saliya Peiris added.
After taking the facts into consideration, the Additional Magistrate referred the proceedings of the case to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
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