Trial-at-Bar says PCoI stalled proceedings of the court

Colombo (News 1st) - The Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday (10) noted any court of law has the power to issue summons on anyone it sees as required to appear in court in order to reach a fair judgment with regard to a case filed in court. The court in a six-page order highlighted the fact, when a warrant was re-issued for the arrest of the Secretary of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe incidents of political persecution - the warrant was recalled today (11) as the Secretary of the PCoI surrendered to the court. The Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar said it issued summons on the Secretary of the PCoI and issued a warrant against her for not complying with the summons, in accordance with the powers vested with the court. Court said sadly, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry had operated in a manner that does not meet the objective of the President in issuing a mandate for the PCoI and operated in a manner that completely stalled the process of court with regard to the case. In the order, the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar said the case had reached the final stages and the court was compelled to halt its process on the case. Court stressed, the conduct of such nature only causes more inconvenience to the defendants themselves as they would never be able to see an end to the case. Court added the refusal to hand over the information books creates a situation where the same case filed with other courts cannot be taken up for trial. The Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today re-issued the warrant against Pearl K. Weerasinghe, the Secretary of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe incidents of Political Victimization / Persecution. Court ordered the Acting IGP to enforce the warrant on or before the 12th of March. Court added, in the event of a failure to enforce the warrant, the Acting IGP must personally appear at the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar and provide reasons for failing to do so.