SC annuls recommendations of PCoI appointed by GR

By AJA Abeynayake

The Supreme Court on Friday anulled the enforcement of the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate allegations of political victimisation.

As per the order, the recommendations made by the relevant commission against a group of individuals, including President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, former DIG of the CID Ravi Seneviratne and its former Director Shani Abeysekara, were ordered to be annulled.

The order was given when petitions filed pertaining to the matter were taken up Friday (09) before a three-judge bench consisting of Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Achala Wengappuli, and Arjuna Obeysekera.

The Supreme Court also ordered the petitioners to pay Rs. 150,000 each as the cost of court proceedings.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate Allegations of Political Victimisation was appointed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and was led by retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne.

A three-member Presidential Commission of Inquiry was appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in January 2020, to inquire into alleged political victimisations that have taken place from 2015 to 2019.

The Commission consisted of retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne, retired Court of Appeal Judge Daya Chandrasiri Jayatilake, and retired IGP Chandra Fernando.Its members were entrusted with the task of inquiring into political victimisation and associated background which had taken place in the wake of investigations conducted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, FCID, CID, and the Special Investigation Unit of the Police from January 8, 2015, to November 16, 2019.

The Commission also investigated the cases of politically victimized public officers during the relevant period.