News
AG raises issue over Additional Magistrate providing food to suspect
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Attorney General has requested the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to initiate an inquiry and take appropriate action against Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatta over her alleged treatment of Inter-University Bhikkhu Federation (IUBF) Convener Galwewa SiridhammaThera.
The AG’s letter comes after four senior Police officers provided sworn affidavits to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne stating it was inappropriate for the Additional Magistrate to give money and food to SiridhammaThera, who is a suspect held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The IGP had forwarded the report containing the affidavits to the AG. Based on contents of the report, the AG had sent the letter to the JSC asking it to initiate an inquiry into the conduct of the Additional Magistrate.
When the case was taken up this week, Senior Deputy Solicitor General (SDSG) Dileepa Peiris, who appeared for the AG, informed the Additional Magistrate that her conduct towards the suspect was inappropriate. Saliya Pieris PC, who appeared for the suspects, objected to the SDSG’s statement. He said the statement was an attempt to interfere with the judiciary.
Reacting to the SDSG’s statement, Additional Magistrate Mahawatta stated that she undertook her actions with good intentions. She thereafter stated that she was transferring the case to Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis.
Meanwhile, a group of lawyers held a protest outside the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court against the alleged attempt by the AG’s Department to interfere with the judiciary.
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