Criticizing Prez not an offence: Counsel

UNP-affiliated National Lawyers' Association Secretary Nissanka Nanayakkara, who visited the Fort Police Station where three suspects were detained for possessing letters allegedly defamatory of the President, said criticizing the President was not an offence.

He said there was nothing wrong with sending letters containing a news item published on a website to temples.

“Criticizing the President is not an offence. These attempts are political slandering. Mailing something published on a website is not an offence in Sri Lanka,” he said.

When asked if Minister Lakshamn Kiriella was behind the incident, Mr. Nanayakkara said, “I don’t know about that.”