Easter Sunday carnage: Counsel tells SC proceedings against President should be discontinued

By Chitra Weerarathne

Counsel Suren Fernando yesterday told the Supreme Court that according to Article 35 (1) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, no legal proceedings could be instituted or continued against President Ranil Wickremasinghe in any Court or tribunal.

In view of Article 35(1) proceedings against Ranil Wickremasinghe, cited as a respondent in the Fundamental Rights Violation petitions filed on behalf of victims of the Easter Sunday attacks, should be discontinued.

According to Article 35 (3) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka in respect of the actions done by him in his Ministerial Capacity, the Attorney General should be made the respondent, the counsel argued.

More than 256 persons were killed in the Easter Sunday attacks on 21 April 2019. Around five hundred others were wounded with some maimed for life.

Islamic terrorists carried out the attacks while the morning prayers were in progress in churches and tourists were having their breakfast.

Among the petitioners who have complained against security lapses of the authorities is the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

The seven judge bench comprised Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya, Justice Murdhu Fernando, Justice S. Thurairajah, Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz and Justice A.L. Shiran Gooneratne.

Island.lk

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