News
SC inquiry into alleged rights violations of SLMC members
The Supreme Court decided to fully inquire into the alleged rights violations of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Parliamentarian and two of its members during the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) election campaign due to the unfair conduct of SSP Premalal Ranagala.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake and Justices K. Sripavan and Eva Wanasundera, fixed the hearing for March 25, 2013.
SLMC General Secretary and Parliamentarian M.T. Hassan Ali, SLMC High Command member and Akkaraippattu Municipal Councillor Moulavi S.L.M. Hanifa and SLMC Ampara District candidate A.T. Thavam, who are the petitioners cited Ampara SSP Premalal Ranagala, Ampara DIG T.K.P. Silva, ASP Sarath Premalal of the Police Training School, Pallekele, OIC Akkaraipattu Police, the IGP, the Elections Commissioner and the Attorney General as respondents.
Appearing for the petitioners, President’s Counsel Dr. Jayampathi Wickramaratna told Court the petition was filed before the EPC election was held on September 8.
The President’s Counsel said the first respondent SSP Ranagala, failed to carry out his duty fairly as a public officer and wrongfully favoured the campaign of the National Congress Party (NCP) headed by Minister A.L.M. Athaulla, whose party also contested the EPC election under the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
The President’s Counsel said SSP Ranagala, while conducting himself in a partisan manner towards Minister Athaullah and the National Congress had acted with hostility to the SLMC candidates and their supporters.
He cited a number of instances where the police acting under instructions from SSP Ranagala failed to take any steps to arrest persons who armed with weapons, terrorized, threatened and attacked the petitioners and their supporters regardless of their complaints to the Police.
The first respondent participated in a number of political and campaign meetings of the National Congress where Minister Athaulla participated, thereby actively engaging in politics, the President’s Counsel told Court.
The illegal actions of the first respondent clearly interfered with the holding of a free and fair election, counsel argued.
Dr. Jayampathi Wickramaratne, Nizam Kariapper, A.M. Faiz, M.C.M. Nawaz and M.I.M. Inulla appeared for the petitioners.
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
Supreme Court to hear SLMC’s rights petitionThe Supreme Court has decided to hear the fundamental rights petition filed by Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) members claiming ...
Petitioners claim they were arrested under law repealed 10 years agoThe Supreme Court on Thursday decided to inquire into the fundamental rights petitions filed by six employees of Srilankamirror website.The ...
SLMC sticks with UPFA, major storm in partyThe Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has decided to contest the upcoming provincial council elections with the United People’s Freedom ...
Upsurge in violence: Polls chief takes extra security measuresThe Elections Department for the first time will have its own monitors at next Saturday’s provincial elections and will enforce ...
SC Bench stays acquisition till Oct. 1 on residents’ objectionsThe Supreme Court directed the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to maintain the status quo till October 1, with regard to ...