A writ petition filed by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe challenging the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe incidents of political victimization was today reserved for order by the Court of Appeal.
The Attorney General had earlier given an undertaking before the Court of Appeal that he has no intention of implementing the findings of the Presidential Commission on Political Victimisation (PCoI) against former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The Attorney General had informed the court the PCoI recommendations against the former Prime Minister would depend on the decision by the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry.
The former Prime Minister is seeking an order suspending the summons issued on him by the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry to implement recommendations and decisions made by the PCoI appointed to inquire into incidents of political victimisation.
In his writ petition, the former Prime Minister is seeking an order staying the operation of findings and recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe incidents of political victimization.
UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe is seeking an Interim order suspending the operation of the findings and recommendations contained on pages 17-51 of the commission report relating to the petitioner.
Wickremasinghe had cited the commissioners of the Presidential Commission, retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne, retired Court of Appeal Judge Chandrasiri Jayatilake and former IGP Chandra Fernando, Commission Secretary Pearl Weerasinghe and Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera as respondents.
Wickremasinghe stated that on or about 4th September 2020 he attended the Presidential Commission and was informed by the Commission that he was not being treated as a respondent but only as a witness. The petitioner believed that no findings or recommendations would be made against him.
However, the petitioner said the Presidential Commission report contains findings and recommendations or materials about the petitioner.
Former Prime Minister said that there had been a complete violation of the rules of natural justice, and no proper hearing was given to him during the Presidential Commission inquiry.
He further alleged that no proper rules of natural justice had been followed, during the inquiry. He alleged that the findings and material collected against him tend to be unreasonable, irrational and arbitrary.
