Indictments have been filed in the Colombo High Court against former Western Province Governor Azath Salley in connection with the controversial statement he made on March 9, the Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appearing for the Attorney General informed the Supreme Court that indictments have been filed against Salley for committing offences coming under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act.
Peiris made these remarks when the Fundamental Rights petition filed by Azath Salley challenging his arrest and detention was taken up before the Supreme Court three-judge-Bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Yasantha Kodagoda and A.H.M.D. Nawaz.
The petition was re-fixed for support on July 29.
Azath Salley had filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order to release him from CID custody. Salley was arrested by CID and is currently being detained over controversial remarks he made which were deemed detrimental to ethnic and religious harmony in the country.
Filing this petition through his lawyer, Azath Salley alleged that he was arrested on baseless charges and is seeking a declaration that his Fundamental Rights have been violated by the respondents through his arrest and detention.
The petition had named the IGP, CID Director, Minister of Public Security and Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Attorney General as respondents.
The petitioner stated that he addressed a press conference held on March 9 stating that the affairs of the Muslim people of Sri Lanka should be governed in accordance with Muslim Law.
The petitioner states that following the media conference relating to this incident, he was arrested by CID under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The petitioner alleged that police have so far failed to produce him before a Magistrate. He denied the allegations that he was involved in the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks.
President’s Counsel Faisz Musthapha with Maithri Gunaratne PC, Counsel Pulasthi Rupasinghe instructed by Senior Attorney-at-Law Gowry Shangary Thavarasha appeared for the petitioner.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appeared for the Attorney General.