Court issues notice on DNA

Monday, 12 April 2010 11:48

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Colombo Fort Magistrate has ordered Democratic National Alliance (DNA) members including former parliamentarians Vijitha Herath, Sunil Hadunnetti, Arjunan Ranatunga, Laksman Nipunaarachchi and the wife of retired General Sarath Fonseka, Anoma Fonseka to appeared before the Fort police and make a statement for violating election laws.

Filing a report before Colombo Fort Magistrate Ms. Lanka Jayaratne, the Fort police stated that the DNA had held a public meeting at the Fort railway station 48 hours before the date of the general election in violation of election laws and regulations urging the authorities to immediately release General Sarath Fonseka who was in Army custody.

The police alleged that the former parliamentarians namely Vijitha Herath, Sunil Hadunnetti, Arjuna Ranatunga, Laksman Nipunaarachchi, Rev. Thalawelle Chandraloka and Anoma Fonseka had led the assembly by obstructing to the general public at the Fort railway station on April 6.

Police alleged that the said DNA activists had committed an offence which comes under section 70 of the Parliament Election Act No 1 of 1981 and moved to issue notice on them.

Having considered the submissions, the Magistrate ordered the police that notice be issued on DNA activists to make a statement before the Fort police station. Further inquiry into the matter was postponed for April 23.

Comments

-27+157 # Guest 2010-04-12 12:02

How can holding a meeting demanding the release of General Fonseka come under the Elections Law? Elections Law covers only the matters relating to the elections and the conduct of the elections. Whatever it is, talking of violations what about all the violations the big, big ones did? They are innumerable and are the Police and Elections Dept. so BLIND? Have they taken action against a single person? Yes, None is so BLIND as the one who refuses to see, no!!!!!

-25+131 # Guest 2010-04-12 12:10

Why do I have a feeling that all charges will be dropped if they join the government to help them achieve their magical 2/3rd?

-21+136 # Guest 2010-04-12 12:10

Hih.. then Wimal Weerawansa's conference on "Harda Sakshiye Malimawa" .. what was that? President also joined that meeting and he asked general public to vote Wimal. It was shown on TV. So court better issue warrants to arrest them also ...

-15+116 # Guest 2010-04-12 12:16

The Fort Police should know the difference between a meeting and a protest. Also were they the only ones who violated election laws, but why only them.

-17+107 # Guest 2010-04-12 12:21

I hope the Magistrate will throw out this baseless case.Shame on the Police for acting so "swiftly" when muderers and rapists go scot free under political patronage.

-14+104 # Guest 2010-04-12 12:21

What a Joke? what about the UPFA and UNP haven't they violated any laws? UPFA is the major culprit and no action? what a sorry state of our law??

-17+107 # Guest 2010-04-12 12:28

what a joke!!!! why the government still after DNA??
there are so many incident which violate the election law. As far as i know candidates cant put posters or cutouts.
even on the day of the election Government media put some advertisements of the ministers and they brought some people into the Rupavahini and tried to change the peoples mind.
so i think police must arrest them before issuing a notice to DNA

-70+44 # Guest 2010-04-12 12:34

No one cares about these protests...they should just lay back wthout embarassing them selves. Once the trial is over the General will be released. They should be patient till then.

-164+37 # Guest 2010-04-12 12:37

Tharanga, It is not a joke. jokers politicize the law and order of the country. Obviously we cannot tolerate the so called political leaders breaking the law and order of the land. We are not willing to go back to the 'terror-days" of 1971 and late 1980's of JVP now known as DNA.

-0+0 # Guest 2010-04-13 11:22

Well, law and order should prevail and they should face legal actions! Great decision!

-1+2 # Guest 2010-04-13 14:29

If any symbol of the party or any candidate's number is not displayed in this gathering, i think it should not be considered as a political rally.
(Keheliya's cut-out in Kandy showing "Mahanuwarata Jaya Keheliya" is a good precedence for the case)
Although I am a by-heart supporter of UPFA & MR, if I had an opportunity I would have been attended this protest demanding General Fonseka's release.

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