Dayasiri refuses to appear before 04/21 PSC

COLOMBO (News 1st): The special parliamentary committee appointed to investigate into the 04/21 attacks were focused on a debate in parliament today (June 28). The leader of the house Lakshman Kiriella claimed that the Supreme Court cannot halt the activities of this parliament and that even in the past that a special committee was appointed against the Chief Justice. He further said that even in the past when he was the speaker that the Court of Appeal gave a decision to the special committee to stop its activities but it was not stopped. UPFA MP Dayasiri Jayasekara also joining the debate claimed that he is not concerned on the matter as the Supreme Court will give an appropriate decision. He further said that they are not concerned on the decision of this committee but are concerned because the Attorney General of the country had on four occasions noted that the committee's operations adversely affects five ongoing cases at the Supreme Court. He claimed that when the cases are heard in parliament that the process of exposing the proceedings to the media had made this difficult. The parliamentarian added that although he was too summoned this evening (June 28) that he decided to not go for the hearings because it is a violation of privileges. Minister Lakshman Kiriella responded that there is not even a case filed regarding the 04/21 attacks whereas only FR petitions have been filed and clarified that they are not considered under standing orders. He further said that there is no court report on those involved in the attack and further said the reason behind MP Dayasiri not going to the committee hearings is because he is involved in the incident. Kiriella added that being the person who removed certain accused people from the police station that he cannot refuse to attend and added that if he does refuse to go that legal action will be implemented. MP Dayasiri claimed that he had visited both the police and the CID and provided a statement for over three hours. He continued to specify that he did not get involved in the act to save anyone but instead did it in order to avert a massive riot that could have taken place. The parliamentarian added that he had later handed over the said individuals to the Hettipola police. UPFA MP Nimal Lanza also joining the debate questioned the reason as to why the letter presented by the Attorney General was not tabled in the parliament and why they weren't informed on the matter. Clarifying MP Dayasiri's statement on the committee summoning him, UNP MP Ashu Marasinghe said that as per the standing order 108 that any person could be summoned to the special committee which is the law relating to the committee which is what they are bound with. He added that therefore if anyone is summoned before this committee, be it a Minister or MP that they have to appear before the committee, or that they will just have to question their conscience.