Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
SJB’s Lihini Fernando condemns YouTuber’s remarks on Ranil’s arrest
Colombo, August 22 (Daily Mirror) - Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member and lawyer Lihini Fernando has strongly condemned a statement made by YouTuber Sudha, who suggested that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should be mandatorily remanded if he appears before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to give a statement.
Sudha, a popular YouTuber, had claimed that Wickremesinghe must be arrested, produced before court, and held in remand custody for 14 days, further vowing to discontinue his programs if such action is not taken.
Fernando described the remarks as “baseless and irresponsible”, stressing that they undermine public trust in the judiciary.
“Such remarks not only demonstrate a blatant disregard for the principles of justice but also seek to mislead the public into believing that judicial decisions can be dictated by personal whims or political conspiracies,” she said in a statement.
She added that Sudha’s attempt to portray himself as privy to “inner circle” government decisions was a deliberate effort to erode confidence in the independence of the judiciary.
Citing the Bail Act No. 30 of 1997, Fernando emphasized that granting bail is the rule while refusing bail is the exception, noting that remand orders are permitted only in instances where an accused evades court, obstructs investigations, or attempts to influence witnesses.
“It is up to the presiding judge to decide whether an accused should be remanded or released on bail based on the facts presented before the court. It is not for the general public to make such arbitrary statements to influence the process of justice,” she pointed out.
Fernando further alleged that if Wickremesinghe were to be remanded tomorrow, it would amount to a “coordinated political vendetta” involving Sudhantha Thilakasiri, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and sections of the judiciary, the Attorney General’s Department, and the Police.
“Sudha’s confidence in making such statements only confirms his complicity in this conspiracy,” she charged, warning that democracy in Sri Lanka cannot afford to be hijacked by those seeking to weaponize the law for political revenge.
“If Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership resorts to such practices, it would mirror and signal an authoritarian regime,” Fernando added.
Comments - 6
Recommended
You May Also Like
Trending
