Manusha withdraws FR petition over CID probe into E8 visa deal

Colombo, Jan. 19 (Daily Mirror) - A Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, seeking an order preventing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from arresting him in connection with an investigation into the alleged E8 visa agreements with Korea without following the due process, was today withdrawn before the Supreme Court.

The former Minister, through his counsel, sought the permission of the Supreme Court to withdraw the application. 

A three-judge Bench comprising Justice S. Thurairaja, Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz and Justice Priyantha Fernando granted permission to withdraw the application, and the matter was accordingly dismissed.

Meanwhile, Additional Solicitor General Lakmali Karunanayake, appearing for the Director of the CID, had filed limited objections challenging the maintainability of the application.

In his petition, the former Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, had named the Inspector General of Police, the Director of the CID, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, the Attorney General and several others as respondents.

Saliya Pieris, PC, together with Danushka Rahubadda and Jagadeesha Ranasinghe, instructed by Praveen Premathilaka, appeared for the petitioner. Additional Solicitor General Lakmali Karunanayake, PC, appeared for the respondents.