Judge A.H.M.D Navaz has withdrawn from hearing former Western Province Governor Asad Sali’s fundamental rights petition. Judge Navaz informed the Supreme Court that he was withdrawing from the hearing of the petition on personal grounds when Asad Sali’s fundamental rights petition was called yesterday [10].
The three-judge bench comprising Justices Murdu Fernando, S. Thurairajah and A.H.M.D Navaz heard the petition. Following the announcement of Judge Nawaz’s resignation, the hearing of the petition was scheduled to be called before another panel on the 27th.
Attorney General, IGP, CID Director Nishantha de Zoysa, Chief Inspector Jayantha Payagala, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekera and Secretary to the same Ministry, . Gen. (Retd.) Jagath Alwis are the respondents in the fundamental rights petition filed by former Governor of the Western Province Asad Sali seeking a ruling that his arrest violated his fundamental rights. Asad Sali has asked the court to issue an order for his release on the grounds that his arrest without any just cause is illegal under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileep Peiris, appearing for the respondent Attorney General, stated that copies of the indictments filed in the Colombo High Court against former Governor of the Western Province Asad Sali for making a controversial statement at a press conference on March 09, 2021 will be presented to the court within a week.
The Deputy Solicitor General also stated that indictments have been filed in the Colombo High Court against offenses under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights.
Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara held a press conference on March 09 and stated that various people had expressed their views on the issue after the media reported that the activities of the Muslim people in Sri Lanka should be conducted in accordance with Muslim law. Former Governor of the Western Province Azad Sally has further stated that he was not involved in the attack on Easter Sunday or the demolition of the Mawanella Buddha statues. President’s Counsel Faiz Mustapha is appearing for the petitioner.