Salley demands compensation from three parliamentarians for causing arrest without sufficient grounds

Three parliamentarians who made complaints against former Western Province Governor Azath Salley were noticed to appear in court on February 21 by Colombo High Court for allegedly causing Salley's arrest without sufficient grounds. The Court made this order pursuant to a request made by counsel for Azath Salley in terms of section 17 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act. President's Counsel Maithri Gunaratne appearing for Azath Salley sought an order demanding compensation upon acquittal of his client from the case filed by Attorney General. Gunaratne alleged that three Parliamentarians Mohomed Muzammil, Nimal Piyatissa and Jayananda Wellabada had maliciously lodged a complaint with police without sufficient ground for causing an arrest. He moved Court that compensation be awarded to his client for the loss of time, income and for his expenses in the matter in terms of section 17(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act. According to section 17(2), the court can award compensation as it thinks fit to be paid by the persons who caused the arrest. Taking into consideration the facts Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja issued notices on three parliamentarians to appear in court on February 21. Salley was incarcerated for a period of eight months for allegedly committing offences come under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act in connection with the controversial statement he made on March 9, 2021.