President Wickremesinghe cannot be discharged from the proceedings of Easter Sunday attack petitions- Cardinal

2 August 2022 04:20 pm - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The application made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe that he be discharged from the proceedings in connection with the twelve Fundamental Rights petitions filed over Easter Sunday attacks should be dismissed by Supreme Court, Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said.

Tendering written submissions before Supreme Court, Colombo Archbishop today maintained that President Ranil Wickremesinghe cannot be necessarily discharged from these proceedings.

President Ranil Wicremesinghe had been made a party to a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Bar Association of Sri Lanka as the 8th Respondent, for the various acts or omissions which resulted in the violation of Fundamental Rights whilst he had been serving in his capacity as the Prime Minister who functioned at the stage at which the Easter Attacks had taken place on the 21st April 2019.

Archbishop of Colombo, who represents the most aggrieved party of the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks had been named as the 57th respondent.

In his written submissions, the Colombo Archbishop stated that the jurisdiction granted by Article 126 was introduced for the first time through the 19th Amendment and such jurisdiction has been thereafter preserved by the Legislature under the 20th Amendment as well.

Therefore by the said Article 35 (1), the Supreme Court can exercise its fundamental rights jurisdiction to scrutinize the acts and omissions of the President. Colombo Archbishop further submitted that discharging the President Wickremesinghe from these proceedings would accordingly directly contravene with the Articles 7 and 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Colombo Archbishop was represented by Shammil Perera PC. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

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Comments - 25

Mudalali Tuesday, 02 August 2022 04:34 PM

Time to haul in the cowards and criminals! No one is above the law. If the courts are corrupt the people will see to it.

Punchi Tuesday, 02 August 2022 04:36 PM

We have obliging courts which will deliver the required verdicts

joshua Tuesday, 02 August 2022 04:37 PM

well done Cardinal.

Shocked Tuesday, 02 August 2022 04:42 PM

Wickremasinghe has to accept responsibility.

Abolish executive powers Tuesday, 02 August 2022 05:18 PM

Can the case continue and in the event the PM of that time is also found to be guilty, let him serve the punishment after his period as president is over?

DHA Tuesday, 02 August 2022 05:31 PM

Our Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith these days in more behaving like a politician rather than a Cardinal....lately his sermons are more politically based rather than spreading the good news of the Gospel.....Sir if your a true Christian pls forgive the trespasses and let go....

Joe Wednesday, 03 August 2022 02:47 AM

I wonder if you will be quiet if your family were wiped out by a bomb. The cardinal is our father and wants justice for his children. He is more truthful than any of the politicians are. That's why you do not like him.

Naomal Wagiswara Tuesday, 02 August 2022 05:35 PM

Mind your own business cardinal. You have no right to comment on National issues.

Labby Tuesday, 02 August 2022 05:37 PM

He has not been discharged, it's just as President he is immune from legal proceedings in court. And it is precisely for this reason that GR, no longer the President, is now one of the accused in this hearing. I hope His Eminence is aware of this.

Dolly Tuesday, 02 August 2022 06:31 PM

The church also shouldn’t be discharged from the atrocities that it had done over the years in Sri Lanka and all over the world. Including the torture and killing of CHILDREN in residential schools in Canada. The church has more blood in its hands. So cardinal, stop talking from both sides of the mouth, stop being a “ wolf in a sheep's skin,” and give some time for our country to recover from the current mess. Dolly

Joe Wednesday, 03 August 2022 02:45 AM

What are you saying you silly man. The Cardinal is putting up a case for his own people. I wonder if you will sit still if your whole family was wiped out. Why don't you disappear to singapore as well.

Ma Tuesday, 02 August 2022 06:31 PM

This Cardinal is using the Easter Sunday bombing to further his quest for power.

Nm Tuesday, 02 August 2022 06:35 PM

The people are loosing the respect they had for the church because of this man's behavior as it's head.

Jm Tuesday, 02 August 2022 06:43 PM

Sick of hearing the rantings of this guy.

Quolp Tuesday, 02 August 2022 07:15 PM

Now, the General Public can understand who has been responsible for the Easter Sunday Calamity.

G De S Tuesday, 02 August 2022 07:21 PM

How can Cardinal advise Courts what to do? Cardinal must be arrested for contempt of courts.

Adwani Tuesday, 02 August 2022 09:08 PM

Because he was not invited to Security Council Meetings.

Bernard Tuesday, 02 August 2022 09:36 PM

His immunity applies only from the date he became President but he is answerable to acts of omissions in 2019.

Hail Hitler! Wednesday, 03 August 2022 06:15 AM

Of course, he's protecting the main culprit, isn't he? And thus he's committed a Cardinal Sin!!!

Uali Wednesday, 03 August 2022 06:16 AM

Church should concern on how to guard laymen and churches in future attacks by religious maniacs who are following same beliefs,why not going to have dialogue among supreme level leaders for future world peace,

Mata Ehune Nehe Wednesday, 03 August 2022 06:19 AM

Use a set of ear plugs then!!!

Percy Wijenayake Wednesday, 03 August 2022 09:27 AM

Sinhala only concept has failed miserably. Leaders who could communicate in English are a rare commodity. So let, Ranil keep going.

Jef Wednesday, 03 August 2022 10:36 AM

If you take the responsibility to look after the country and the nation's citizens?..then who is responsible for any crime or criminal activities do we have a intelligent team crime protection or criminal information team that provide information etc...If need proper investigation who is behind so that never anything like the Easter bombing ever happening again somany inecent killed very sad for families and loved one's

Ignatius Rasiah Wednesday, 03 August 2022 11:31 AM

Ranil, I hope you get INTERPOL as promised

Roshan samarathunga Wednesday, 03 August 2022 01:19 PM

Best way forward is to master debate unelected new president

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President Wickremesinghe cannot be discharged from the proceedings of Easter Sunday attack petitions- Cardinal

Comments - 25

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