MP on open warrant turns up at school event

Mr. Ali Sabri Rahim, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Puttalam District whom an open warrant had been issued, attended a public ceremony at Al Aksha National School in Kalpitiya today (16) as the special guest of honor.

An open warrant to arrest and produce Mr. Raheem in court was issued by Puttalam Additional, District Judge and Magistrate Ayona Wimalaratne on July 8 in connection with a case filed against him by the Kalpitiya Police on a complaint received from a Non-Governmental Organisation in Kalpitiya.

The Circuit Magistrate's Court in Kalpitiya issued the arrest warrant.  

The suspect Parliamentarian had failed to be present in court when the case was taken up on July 8 and no attorney had represented him in two earlier sessions.

The case was moved to July 22.    

In response to a media query Inspector Wasantha Siri Lal Edirisinghe of Kalpitiya Police expressed his belief that the MP would turn himself in to the courts soon.

Mr. Nasir Ahmed, the Governor of the North-Western Province, took part in the ceremony as well.

Several Police members were present at the ceremony.

Text and pix by Padma Kumari Kankanamge in Kalpitiya