Wijeyadasa on Wimal: 'Prove innocence before going on hunger strike'

23 March 2017 08:22 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today MP Wimal Weerawansa should prove in court that he had not misused a single state vehicle instead of going on a hunger strike.

Responding to an allegation made by the joint opposition that there was political revenge behind Mr. Weerawansa's arrest,Mr. Rajapakshe told parliament that there was no political matters behind this and added that it was only the implementation of law against him.

"He was not arrested by the President, Prime Minister or the Law and Order Minister. He was arrested by the police. We have established the independent police commission and made the police service independent. We have no power to order the police. The Joint opposition cannot accuse us of taking political revenge. There was no one behind this. Only the Law is behind it," he said.

He said it was a fundamental right of anyone to go on a hunger strike and added that Mr. Weerawansa also had that right to do so.

"He can continue his hunger strike genuinely. He may have some purpose to achieve. So he can continue it until he achieves it," he said( Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 29

Srilal Friday, 24 March 2017 08:06 AM

Attempted suicide is not a right of any living person in any country . W.W. should be charged again unless time will prove the Lemon Puff secret .

don Friday, 24 March 2017 02:48 PM

For your information minister, wimal is not proven guilty either, so what is the danger in granting bail from him... is he a serious dangerous criminal could not release to the public.... As far as I know case is under investigation and remanded on suspicious and process.. , so is the system is independent...

Sunil Friday, 24 March 2017 02:47 PM

No one needs to prove one's innocence. The onus is on the prosecutors to prove beyond reasonable doubt that someone is guilty.

Suren Friday, 24 March 2017 02:38 PM

Has WW been found guilty for him to prove his innocence?

Shelly. Friday, 24 March 2017 01:28 PM

Everyone should be carefull of movements of this WR. via DM Android App

Cheran Friday, 24 March 2017 12:32 PM

WW should think atleast now about the Political Prisoners kept in custody for more than years. Also what is his opinion about war crime inquiry with out foreign judges,

Srian Friday, 24 March 2017 12:26 PM

Surely the principle is that one is presumed innocent until proved guilty. So he has nothing to prove .. it is up to the authorities to prove his guilt!!!

ariura Friday, 24 March 2017 11:54 AM

do you think there any MPs who has not used govt vehicles for private use

Mr Perfect Friday, 24 March 2017 11:51 AM

In that case we do not need prisons in Sri Lanka. Cause all the prisoners will on hunger strike and the law will have to release them. All those who are serving life can also go on hunger strike and will have to be released. What stupid idea of cheap politics. Let them rot in these cells, who cares as they are all a burden to this country.

jopo Friday, 24 March 2017 11:48 AM

Need to implement capital punishment immediately in Sri Lanka, and punish people stealing public property with out seeing the party or status. our justice system very poor that's why these politician fooling the people.

Ashiq Friday, 24 March 2017 11:40 AM

What wrong you forsee that he is gonna commit? or what he already did which you already know ?

Sarath Friday, 24 March 2017 11:27 AM

@Maharala - which people did he serve ??? my foot

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 24 March 2017 10:23 AM

When a person is arrested of an offence, he loses many rights that a normal person enjoys.

WIJEDASA , YOU ARE WRONG Friday, 24 March 2017 08:15 AM

"a fundamental right of anyone to go on a hunger strike" - Wijedasa, ! ! don't be childish or are you trying to mask their offence. Maybe a fundamental right to protest by fasting, in cases such like , say - "wanting a decent salary etc" But in these cases, please don't put your mouth in ! These individuals are chalenging a court order (just like the SATIM court decision) . IF Seeni Boolay could have been put behind bars (for what be uttered), why are you'll frightened to haul them to court on "contempt of court" charge. YOU'LL ARE PLAYING WITH FIRE

Kaboos Friday, 24 March 2017 08:08 AM

WW has made biggest mistake by going on hunger strike. Its shows he has challenged the court verdict . He could be charged on contempt of court, WW could be further remanded.

Selvyn Thursday, 23 March 2017 09:13 PM

Weerawansa is playing his usual game but this time no one is there to help him. everyone knows abuse of power is a serious issue via DM Android App

Lakshman De Silva Friday, 24 March 2017 07:53 AM

Sri Lanka has become a fratrocracy ( A dictatorship under a democracy) and all what the President and his allies does is arresting political opponents of free speech and the Minister Wijedasa is oblivious of what political freedom is and not a such an expert in Law as other so called experts by this government

sobers Friday, 24 March 2017 07:52 AM

Enough is enough! It is now or never, in the past politicians at all level have been cheating the innocent public and playing them out. Now justice is prevailing to some extent, although long way to go. What will happen if all suspects go on hunger strike and demand their release. This is real hoodwinking for popularity and to gain sympathy.

Ganesh Friday, 24 March 2017 07:13 AM

Minister you are not an honest minister although you are said to be justice minister that everybody knows, so you are not fit and eligible to talk on this subject of Weerawansa even though he may have been subjected to misuse public funds .Not only he but also everybody everybody in the previous and a few in the present .What have you got to say? ?

Tissa Friday, 24 March 2017 06:43 AM

Whatever said and done if there was no political revenge are all attained nibbana Ha. ha. via DM Android App

alston Friday, 24 March 2017 06:44 AM

Wimal setting precedence for all the convicted to follow. These are all dramas in real life.

Paramm Friday, 24 March 2017 03:58 AM

Wimal is expecting someone to bring glass of juice and may be food from behind when darkness set in!!!!A Parliamentarian must set an example to ordinary laymen that no one can go against a judgement. Exception he has to keep on appealing etc.Its the fault of the people electing men who do not know the laws of a country.

S B Lokuge Friday, 24 March 2017 03:18 AM

What an idiot we have as our Justice Minister. He should know even the basics of law which is one is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

ananda Thursday, 23 March 2017 11:04 PM

I endorse fully the statement given by minister Wejedasa in respect of the JO quarry over Wimal. He has the full freedom to prove himself innocent. via DM Android App

Eagle Thursday, 23 March 2017 10:32 PM

Minister is perfectly correct in his explanation in respect of Weerawansa but in some other cases, the law is selectively applied. We can list out many if the minister can explain. Certainly the law is not equal for everybody in this land. That is the reality.

Bala Thursday, 23 March 2017 10:29 PM

No problem there if Wijedasa has done something wrong. But it should be unlike CJ Shirani and FM Sarath Fonseka on trumped up charges.

Maharala Thursday, 23 March 2017 09:53 PM

Whatever their difference, politicos always look after their own privileges. It wont be long before WW is released "to serve the people"

Ajith Thursday, 23 March 2017 09:35 PM

Perfectly correct. Unfortunately he will never be able to prove that he didn't misuse state vehicles.

Myya Thursday, 23 March 2017 09:27 PM

Wijedasa R.Should not be delighted about Wimal 's arrest.He will be in same position after 2020 election.

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Wijeyadasa on Wimal: 'Prove innocence before going on hunger strike'

Comments - 29

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