Will reveal those behind plot against Deshabandu: Counsel

Colombo, May 19 (Daily Mirror)- Sanjeewa Weerawickrama, counsel for IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, informed the committee of inquiry probing the charges against his client that he would reveal who is behind the exercise against him.

“On behalf of my client, I will reveal who is behind the removal of Mr. Tennakoon and who is motivating whom in this exercise,” Weerawickrama said.

Counsel Weerawickrama accused Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris of hiding evidence. “We need to study the evidence before we submit our objections. It is not correct to hide evidence ,” he said. However the Additional Solicitor General assured that he will submit all details pertaining to charges.

Meanwhile, the committee of inquiry rejected three preliminary objections filed by counsel Weerawickrama. The objection that the committee cannot proceed with the inquiry under Standing Orders 92(F) was dismissed on the grounds that the provision applies only to Members of Parliament. The objection that Tennakoon cannot be considered the IGP due to a court-issued stay order was also rejected, as the respondent continues to receive the perks entitled to the IGP.

Requests made by Weerawickrama were also turned down. His request for a representative from the IPU and the Asian Parliamentary Association to monitor proceedings was also denied.

“The committee has no mandate to bring in anyone to monitor the proceedings. The media we see today were not invited by us,” Committee Chairman Supreme Court Judge Preethi Padman Surasena said.

An objection to the presence of the Additional Solicitor General was also dismissed, with the chairman stating that he was appointed by the Attorney General to assist the committee. “The Additional Solicitor General has nothing to do with the committee,” Justice Surasena said.