News
SJB : Entire cabinet of ministers is now liable for contempt of court
By Saman Indrajith
Entire Cabinet of ministers was now liable for contempt of court if they delay implementing Wednesday’s Supreme Court order to appoint an acting IGP, Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday.
“Beware that all of you in the government front row are to face contempt of court charges.
The government should immediately appoint an acting IGP without letting this crisis further worsen. We saw media reports to the effect that the Cabinet had asked for two days to make a decision on the order given by the Supreme Court. There is no need for the Cabinet to give its opinion on a Supreme Court order.
You have no power to do that. You are bound to implement it. Even if you do not agree with it and have complaints, then you must follow the Comply and Complain doctrine. First, you must comply with the order and then submit whatever grievances you have. A Cabinet cannot defy a Supreme Court order,” Kiriella said.
He said so during cross talk between opposition MPs demanding the implementation of the Supreme Court determination while the government insisted that the matter should wait till the return of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena from China.
Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premdasa said the Supreme Court had given an order to send Tennakoon on compulsory leave and to appoint an acting IGP in his place. The government was trying to circumvent the order and thereby placing the country in crisis.
Leader of the House Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said that the government would abide by the court decision. “This is not a matter coming under the purview of parliament. This is a matter that should be addressed by the Constitutional Council. We have to wait till the Speaker returns home and then that council could meet and take this up,” the Minister said.
SLPP dissident MP Prof GL Peiris said that appointing an acting IGP did not come under the purview of the Constitutional Council. It was up to the President to appoint a suitable person for the post of Acting IGP. It is when an IGP is appointed, the approval of the Constitutional Council is needed, Prof Peiris said.
SLPP dissident MP Dayasiri Jayasekera argued that the President had the powers to appoint Tennakoon once to the post of Acting IGP before his position was made permanent making use of a letter from the Speaker. The President also appointed an Acting Attorney General.
Chief Government Whip Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that Tennakoon had drawn much flak because he had acted against narcotic drug dealers and cartels. The Opposition too is happy because the Opposition today is maintained by the drug dealers’ funds.
News
Police under greater pressure to track down IGP on the run as CA rejects bid to stay arrest order
Having dismissed the writ petition filed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon on the run, the Court of Appeal yesterday (17) ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest him and produce him in Court.
The IGP sought an interim injunction to prevent the execution of the arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court on February 28 against him in connection with the shooting incident that took place in Weligama, Matara, on Dec, 31, 2023.
The Court of Appeal bench, comprising its Acting President Justice Mohamed Lafar Tahir and Justice Sarath Dissanayake dismissed the petition without a hearing.
The petition filed by Tennakoon before the Court of Appeal was earlier taken up for consideration on March 12 but the decision was put off to March 17.
The IGP’s legal team made a last minute bid to prevent an arrest order by submitting a motion requesting an opportunity to submit additional documents related to the case.
However, in terms of an agreement between the Attorney General (AG) and the counsel of six other policemen implicated in the Weligama shooting, the AG ordered the CID not to arrest the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) and five other policemen implicated in the case.
UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena on Sunday alleged that during the 1987-1990 period, the JVP killed approximately 1,960 UNPers.
The former Minister told the media that the Batalanda Commission report had given that figure in its third chapter. Addressing the media in Colombo, the former parliamentarian said that the JVP had targeted both UNP and leftist politicians during their second abortive insurgency.
The UNP victims included two General Secretaries of the party, Nandalal Fernando and Harsha Abeywickrema.
Abeywardena said that those demanding action against the former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, on the basis of the Batalanda Commission report, had conveniently forgotten the atrocities perpetrated by the JVP.
The JVP-led NPP won both presidential and parliamentary polls last year.
The newly formed influential health sector professionals group, the Academy of Health Professionals (AHP), yesterday declared that its members would launch a 24-hour strike commencing from 7.00 am today.
President AHP Ravi Kumudesh told the media that the decision to stage a strike had been taken as talks between the AHP and the officials of the Ministry of Health had failed.
Kumudesh alleged that cuts in health sector allowances through the 2025 Budget proposals, had badly affected health workers.
Health professionals, including those from paramedical medical services, medical laboratories, allied medical services, radiology, medical practitioners, family health services, optometrists, public health inspectors, entomologists, dental technicians, and pharmacists, are expected to join today’s strike.
Police under greater pressure to track down IGP on the run as CA rejects bid to stay arrest order
Wajira says JVP killed over 1,900 UNPers
Health Professionals to launch strike
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