Anura files writ petition against PCoI case

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal seeking an order staying the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing incidents of Political Victimization, from hearing a case launched based on a complaint made by Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi.

The petitioner is further seeking an order in the nature of a writ of Certiorari quashing the decision taken by PCoI to issue summons on the petitioner by the summons dated July 16, 2020.

The petitioner had named members of PCoI appointed to look into alleged political victimization of public servants (Chairman Upali Abeyratne, Daya Chandrasiri Jayathilaka and Chandra Fernando), its Secretary and the Attorney General as respondents.

Mr. Dissanayake states that seventh respondent Nissanka Senadhipathi cannot invoke Presidential Commission's jurisdiction since it does not have power to inquire into a complaint made by a private individual or a private company.

Former CID Director Shani Abeysekara also filed a writ petition over the same issue.