Former Governor of the Western Province Governor Azath Salley was indicted today by the Attorney General in connection with the controversial statement he made on March 9,
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appearing for the Attorney General submitted to the Supreme Court that the indictments, filed over offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA )and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act.
Peiris made these remarks when the Fundamental Rights petition filed by Azath Salley challenging his arrest and detention was taken up before Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Yasantha Kodagoda and A.H.M.D. Nawaz.
The petition was re-fixed for support on July 29.
Azath Salley filed a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order to release him from CID custody. Salley arrested by the CID is currently detained over controversial remarks he made detrimental to ethnic-religious harmony in the country.
Filing this petition through his lawyer, Azath Salley alleged that he was arrested on baseless charges and sought a declaration that his fundamental rights violated by the respondents through his arrest and detention.
The petition had 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 Muslim 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). The petitioner alleged that police have so far failed to produce him before a Magistrate.
He denied the allegations that he involved in the Easter Sunday attack
