A motion filed on behalf of former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe seeking an order suspending the summons issued on him by the special Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to implement recommendations and decisions made by the PCoI appointed to inquire into the incidents of political victimisation was today re-fixed for support on March 14 by theCourt of Appeal.
The Court was informed that former Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundara to be substituted as a respondent since he no longer holds the position.
The Court of Appeal bench comprising Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, Justice M. T. M. Lafar and Justice D.M. Samarakoon decided to hear this motion along with two other motions filed on behalf of Dr. JayampathyWickremaratne and President’s Counsel J.C. Weliamuna on March 14.
In his original application (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 states 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 said he believed that no findings and 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 has been a complete violation of the rules of natural justice and no proper hearing has been given to him during the Presidential Commission inquiry.
He further alleged that no proper rules of natural justice have been followed during the inquiry. He alleged that findings and material collected against him are unreasonable, irrational and arbitrary.
