Security beefed up at Colombo Magistrate Court premises

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Several ministers from the ruling party expressed their views on granting bail for Patali Champika Ranawaka. Udaya Gammanpila, Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya stated that Patali Champika was not arrested only based on the accident and several other charges as well. He added that those charges are serious and bail could not be granted. He further added that however, the speaker is the chairman of the legislative council, which appoints the Judicial Service Commission. He went on to note that when the former minister was arrested by a court that is under the legislative council appointed by them, they send an MP to hold a Bodhi Pooja wishing for his release. He stated that they themselves are proving that their council is not independent and they are disgracing themselves. Susil Premajayantha, State Minister of International Co-operation: "Basil Rajapaksa was ordered to be arrested at 11.00 pm without instruction from the Attorney General and permission of the Speaker. None of that happened at that time. But it is only now that the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker have realized that the Speaker should be informed if a member of the Parliament is being arrested. It would have been better if the arrest was made during the day time instead of it being done in the night. These are not the matters that a Speaker should say. These are matters pertaining to the law. The authorities who implement the law should be permitted to do so." Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena stated that the speaker is engaged in politics not the duties as the speaker while Susil Premajayantha, State Minister of International Co-operation stated that this partiality would last until about the 2nd of March. The impartiality of the Speaker has been questioned by various factions in various instances. One such instance was the decision taken to hold a vote on voice to pass the no-confidence motion following the constitutional crisis on the 26th of October last year. Another such instance was inviting foreign diplomats to enter Parliamentary premises and allowing them to inspect its meetings. In all these instances, the people find it baffling as to whether these acts were done, keeping true to his conscience and safeguarding the honour of the law or to attain benefits acting according to his whims and fancies. Meanwhile, attorneys presented facts to Additional Magistrate Kanchana Niranjana, about tight security that was assigned at the time former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka was produced before courts today. Lawyers presenting facts to the additional magistrate, pointed out, security assigned at the court complex today, was unlike ever before. Responding to this, Deputy Solicitor General Dilipa Pieris said, those who visit the court complex for legal matters, must be given the option to freely enter the premises. Additional magistrate Kanchana Niranjana said, she will look into this matter.