Former President Maithripala Sirisena and other accused were ordered to produce their written submissions on January 18 regarding the removal of President Ranil Wickremesinghe from the 108 cases filed by the victims who were injured, permanently disabled and victimized in the Easter attack seeking compensation for their life and property damage.
Colombo Additional District Judge Mahesha De Silva issued this order due to the fact that former President Maithripala Sirisena and the prosecution raised their objection to the removal of the President who has been named as the second accused in these compensation cases.
Attorney Dinesh Vidanapathirana sought the court to release President Ranil Wickremesinghe who has been cited as the second accused in the cases, as the president is entitled to presidential immunity as per the provisions of Article 35(1) of the Constitution.
President’s Counsel Shamil Perera appearing for the prosecution raised objections to the request to release the President from the cases stating that as the Supreme Court has held that according to Article 35 of the Constitution, a case against the President should not be assigned or conducted only during the time the President holds the office.
Therefore, he sought the Court to temporarily hold the proceedings of the cases against the President.
Counsels who appeared for former President Maithripala Sirisena informed court that they objected to the request which sought to hold the proceedings of the cases against the President.
The other accused in these 108 cases are former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, former Inspector General of Police (IGP)Pujith Jayasundara, former State Intelligence Service Director Nilantha Jayawardena and National Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis.
The court was informed that the other accused will not produce submissions regarding the removal of the President from the cases.
Former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, former Director of the State Intelligence Service Nilantha Jayawardena, and the Attorney General have been charged in 108 cases.
The lawsuit was filed by the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks against former President Maithripala Sirisena and a group of government officials for neglecting their responsibilities and neglect of duty and demanded compensation.
According to the nature of each complainant, these cases were filed seeking compensation of Rs. 10 million and above.
President’s Counsel Shamil Perera appeared for the plaintiffs and a panel of attorneys including Dinesh Vidanapathirana appeared for President Ranil Wickremesinghe. A panel of attorneys including President’s Counsel Faiz Mustapha appeared for the other defendants.
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