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SLFP: Will take legal action against FCID procedure

6 May 2015 02:50 pm - 23     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would take legal action against the procedure adopted by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to question and prosecute suspects referred to it by the Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

General Secretary of the UPFA Susil Premajayantha told media today that the entire process of recording statements and producing suspects in courts was biased, unethical and illegal.

“It is the Cabinet Sub-Committee, Chaired by Wickremesinghe that takes the final decision, whether or not to take action against politicians and officials served under the previous regime. The Cabinet Sub-Committee also decides on the actions to be taken on each suspect.
 
“The FCID records statements and decides whether to file charges against them, refer the file to the Attorney General or the Bribery Commission or let them go free on the directive of the Cabinet Sub-Committee, which is entirely a political witch-hunt never witnessed in Sri Lanka’s political history,” Premajayantha charged.  

Premajayantha said the SLFP had educated President Maithripala Sirisena on this dangerous trend and President Sirisena had promised to look into the issue.

“We have information that this ad-hoc Cabinet Sub-Committee has been appointed at a Cabinet meeting not attended by President Sirisena,” he said.

Explaining the alleged biased procedure adopted by the FCID, Premajayantha said former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa had been produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate by FCID with an incomplete statement which had asked the Magistrate to put the suspect in remand custody claiming further statements had to be recorded.

“How can a Police officer request a Magistrate to put a suspect in remand custody with an incomplete statement? It is illegal and unethical,” Premajayantha said.
He charged that the FCID was following the legal provisions used by the Defence Secretary in 1980 under Emergency Regulations at a time of normalcy.

Premajayantha said empowering a politician to take action against his or her political opponents was nothing else but political witch-hunt.

“It is against the law, against democratic traditions and against all accepted norms of good governance and fair play.

“Our legal experts are in the process of preparing now. We firmly believe that we can prove the bias and illegality of this process. We never demand to dismantle the FCID or not to take action against any politician, who has a prima-facie case against him or her. What we oppose is the politicisation of the procedure and political witch hunt using the FCID as a tool,” Premajayantha said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and Colombo District Parliamentarian Thilanga Sumathipala also participated in the news briefing. Pic. by Lahiru Harshana.(Sandun A Jayasekera)

 

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  Comments - 23

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  • jayantha Thursday, 07 May 2015 09:46 AM

    This is not about catching thieves! Its about using it as a political tool! UNP style. How come CB governor who robbed billions still doing his job today?

    Joachim Thursday, 07 May 2015 03:06 PM

    How many robberies have been proved?

    J Palitha Thursday, 07 May 2015 02:53 PM

    SF can handle these robbers well.

    Horri Jimonis Thursday, 07 May 2015 02:50 PM

    True Sir., you are educated you know what is happening. But un-educated idiots in the opposition bench are trying to make easy money.

    Desmond Jeromme Thursday, 07 May 2015 02:49 PM

    This tiny fool is trying to be a Hero.... Ah...Ah....Ah...

    Camel Thursday, 07 May 2015 02:24 PM

    What a joke..!!..If these so called pious politicians have nothing to hide then why make such a massive issue out of it,transparency in any legal system is the only way to deter corruption.It is a known fact that these politician have extorted in the billions to finance there personal agendas and exorbitant lifestyles.There is a saying "The closer you get to the peak of the mountain the stronger the wind is", hence the apprehension towards being exposed to the public.

    Migara Perera Thursday, 07 May 2015 02:03 PM

    These so called f.... politician where were you??? now you are taking legal action for what?? People will take necessary voting action against them. Remember one guy is this fellow.

    donw1953 Thursday, 07 May 2015 02:01 PM

    Why the yaha palanaya members in the parliament and all other civil societies including all religious leaders of today who supported the present government promising the public not taking legal actions of alleged murderers made by JVP and UNP in the past from year 1970 t0 2000. People who suffered are awaiting answers from this governmentThey removed with in some days after the present government coming in to power, flower pots at araliyagaha mundiriya saying to public it a measure of saving public money but committed the largest frauad in billions of public money through bond issue through their friends. Can You plese answer for awaitng public

    sincere Thursday, 07 May 2015 01:35 PM

    Yes, go to courts and take proper legal action against it. The law of this country which you had dethroned during your time has now been established in its right place under Yahapalanaya. So courts are opened for you to go and fight the cases when rogues are apprehended!

    Rhonda Taylor Thursday, 07 May 2015 12:42 PM

    We are waiting to see all the big fish that robbed the small fish behind bars.Why is the SLFP so afraid of these investigations??Guilty??????

    perera Thursday, 07 May 2015 11:20 AM

    These r not just inquiries, real revenge and personal attacks

    iemerald Thursday, 07 May 2015 10:17 AM

    GETTING WORRIED THAT MOST OF THEIR MEMBERS THE BIG THIEVES OF THE PREVIOUS CORRUPT REGIME WILL BE BEFIND BARS SOON.

    Lawry Wednesday, 06 May 2015 08:54 PM

    political witch-hunt never witnessed in Sri Lanka’s political history,” ?????????

    Katie Thursday, 07 May 2015 09:44 AM

    Yes! Mr Premajayantha where were you when the previous regime took SF in without any trial where were you when Lasantha Wickremasinghe was killed where were you when the journalist were killed You did not voice your opinion then, seems like you just woke up from your hypnosis. If somebody has done wrong and robbed the public resources, then that person should be punished so Shush shush.

    Samitha Silva Thursday, 07 May 2015 09:41 AM

    This Country never development because of some corrupt politicians and Clergy.

    Desapriya Thursday, 07 May 2015 09:37 AM

    Rouges for rouges. No wonder. All civil rights should be stopped and give long jail terms to all those who robbed the country from top to bottom.

    raj Thursday, 07 May 2015 09:11 AM

    why people are worried about just inquiry? whether it is a war crime inquiry or corruption inquiry, there is no need to worry if there is nothing to hide.

    voter Thursday, 07 May 2015 09:09 AM

    If you have not done any wrong thing , Nothing to fear. Judiciary is now independent.

    Concerned Citizen Thursday, 07 May 2015 08:13 AM

    Arrest him for Obstructing Justice,

    patriot Wednesday, 06 May 2015 09:34 PM

    These are the principles of "yaha-palanaya" having come to power with a promise do better than the last regime; they are succeeding, I must say!

    willowsd Wednesday, 06 May 2015 09:23 PM

    so you want to protect all the rogues? we will teach you a lesson at next elections

    Fassey Wednesday, 06 May 2015 09:16 PM

    Where were you when the WHITE VAN witch hunt was taking place and SF was taken into custody just after the election.

    Hubert Wednesday, 06 May 2015 09:03 PM

    Illegal to catch thieves ??/


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