Insufficient evidence to arrest Madumadawa: AG tells SC

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday informed the Supreme Court that there was insufficient evidence to arrest Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Deputy Leader Madumadawa Aravinda over the riots at Minuwangoda in May.

This was conveyed by the AG’s Department when the Fundamental Rights petition filed by Madumadawa Aravinda seeking a Supreme Court order preventing his arrest in connection with the Minuwangoda riots, was taken up by a three-judge SC bench comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, L.T.B. Dehideniya and Preethi Padman Surasena.

The State Counsel appearing for the AG’s Department said the investigation reports of the police into the Minuwangoda violent incidents had been received by the AG's Department.

She said there was insufficient evidence in the reports to arrest Madumadawa Aravinda. In the FR petition, Minuwangoda Police OIC, DIG in charge of the Northern Division of the Western Province, acting IGP and the AG had been named as respondents.

President's Counsel Manohara De Silva, Attorneys-at-law Bhupathi Kahathuduwa and Thushara Dissanayake appeared for the petitioner while state counsel Indunil Punchihewa appeared for the respondents.

Madhumadawa Aravinda said he had no involvement in the violence in Minuwangoda though the police were attempting to arrest him.