Police serve Namal summons at 9.50 am for 9.30 am court appearance: SLPP

General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has strongly criticised the police for issuing summons to MP Namal Rajapaksa that was impossible to comply with

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has strongly criticised the police for issuing summons to MP Namal Rajapaksa that was impossible to comply with, citing serious procedural lapses and alleged political motivation. 

Speaking to the media, Kariyawasam said that Namal Rajapaksa is currently in India, having accepted an official invitation to attend the Indian Republic Day celebrations. He said that the MP’s legal team had followed all due protocols before his departure. Specifically, a motion was filed with the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court regarding an ongoing case related to a protest against the port, and law enforcement authorities were explicitly informed of his travel itinerary. 

Despite these prior notifications, police officers reportedly arrived at the “Carlton” residence in Tangalle at 9:50 am on January 26 to hand over a summons. The document required Rajapaksa to appear before the Commercial Crime Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at 9:30 am that very same morning. “They delivered the notice at 9:50 am in Tangalle, informing him to be present for an inquiry at 9:30 am,” Kariyawasam said. 

He further said that it was public knowledge that the MP had already left the country with court and police awareness. Kariyawasam accused the police of acting under political influence, referring to the conduct as that of a “JVP Police” force rather than an independent state service. 

He alleged that such actions were deliberate attempts to gain political advantage and urged the Inspector General of Police to prevent the politicisation of law enforcement. 

Kariyawasam said that he had informed Rajapaksa of the incident via telephone, and the MP had expressed surprise at the police’s conduct given his adherence to legal procedures.