News
AG and CJ asked to expedite cases against those detained under PTA – Justice Minister
By Saman Indrajith
Justice Minister Ali Sabry said that he has been in consultation with the Attorney General and the Chief Justice to expedite cases against those being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
“I have asked the Attorney General to look into each case individually”, he told Parliament last week.
Those facing charges under the Penal Code or the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) cannot be described as ‘political prisoners’, the Minister said in response to a question raised by TNA Batticaloa District MP, Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam.
“On the instructions of the President, Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Security, I had discussions with the AG and the CJ on how to expedite these cases. We believe these cases must be expedited and disposed of”, Minister Sabry said.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said that there are no ‘political prisoners’ in the country and those who are in remand are facing different charges under the Penal Code.
Justice Minister Sabry said that immediately after the defeat of the LTTE in 2009, there were around 12,843 LTTE suspects who surrendered to the government. They were rehabilitated and have assimilated to society. They included 600 child soldiers.
“There are no ‘political prisoners’ detained in the country, but there are a few held under the PTA. There are grievous charges against them,” he said.
TNA MP Rasamanickam said that around 50 youth are being held in connection with various Facebook posts, and queried whether these were also considered grievous crimes.
Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) MURASAME arrived at the Port of Colombo on a replenishment visit this morning (22 Mar 25).
The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
JMSDF MURASAME is a 151m long Destroyer commanded by Commander HAYAKAWA Masahiro. Meanwhile, she is manned by a crew of 200.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 25 Mar 25.
It has been reported that two persons riding a motorcycle were killed in a shooting incident that took place around 11.45pm on Friday [21] night , in front of the southern entrance of the Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya, on Sinhasana Road.
The unidentified gunmen, who arrived in a van, opened fire using a T-56 assault rifle and 9 mm firearms before fleeing the scene. The police have recovered 39 T-56 bullet casings, two T-56 rounds of live ammunition, a T-56 magazine, three 9 mm bullet casings, and one 9mm live ammunition.
The van suspected to have been used by the shooters was found abandoned and set on fire on a side road about 800 meters from the crime scene.
The two deceased victims have been identified as Tikira Hennedige Yomesh Nadishan and Marakkala Manage Pasidu Tharuka, both residents of Sinhasana Road, Devinuwara.
Matale Dirstrict SJB MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna yesterday tabled a list in Parliament naming 1,300 members, leaders, trade unionists, and activists of the UNP, who were allegedly assassinated by the JVP. The list was submitted during a parliamentary session as part of the government’s ongoing effort to document victims of political violence.
Along with the names of the victims, MP Wijerathna also introduced over 900 family members of the alleged victims, providing further context to the extent of the violence.
Speaking during the session, MP Wijerathna stated, “Child soldiers were recruited by the JVP even before the LTTE. ‘Kantale Bonikki,’ a 13-year-old child was used to murder a 70-year-old female UNP supporter.” She accused the JVP of using children to kill numerous UNP members during the JVP’s second insurgency.
The MP said that names not included in the current list would be submitted during the upcoming “Batalanda Debate” in April.
MP Wijerathna invited the public, via her Facebook page to submit further details on family members affected by political violence to ensure their inclusion in the extended record.
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