The Fundamental Rights petition filed on behalf of former Governor of Western Province AzathSalley seeking an order to release him from CID custody was today fixed for October 4 by theSupreme Court.
The Supreme today insisted the necessity of substituting a new counsel for the petitioner, following the demise of senior counsel GowryShangary Thavarasha.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Preethi PadmanSurasena, Justice Achala Wengappuli and Justice Arjuna Obeysekera fixed the petition to be taken up for support on October 4.
President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratneappearing for the petitioner submitted to court that the media has taken steps to telecast distorted excerpts from the full statement made by his client at the press conference.
The Supreme Court was informed that the indictments have been filed in Colombo High Court against Azath Salley in connection with the controversial statement he made on March 9.
The indictments have been filed against Salleyfor committing offences coming under thePrevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and theInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act.
Azath Salley through a fundamental rights petition filed in the Supreme Court is seeking an order to release him from the CID custody.
Salley was arrested by the CID and currently being detained over controversial remarks he made detrimental to ethnic religious harmony in the country.
Filing this petition through his lawyer, AzathSalley alleged that he was arrested on baseless charges and seeking a declaration that his fundamental rights have been violated by the respondents through his arrest and detention.
The petition has named the IGP, CID Director, Minister of Public Security and Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Attorney General as respondents.
The petitioner stated that he addressed a press conference held on March 9 stating that the affairs of the Muslim people of Sri Lanka should be governed in accordance with theMuslim law.
The petitioner states that following the media conference relating to this incident, he was arrested by the CID under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
He denied the allegations that he was involved in the Easter Sunday attack.
