Bills to amend two laws receive parliament's nod

COLOMBO (News1st): Bills to amend the Penal Code and the Evidence ordinance were passed in parliament, subject to certain amendments, on Wednesday. "There is a fundamental principle in the penal code. That is proving beyond a reasonable doubt," justice minister Ali Sabry told Parliament. He accused the previous government of exercising arbitrary action targetted at individuals. "They filed cases against selected individuals. In those cases, we couldn't appeal against a small ruling," the justice minister claimed. He said that the President has instructed not to arrest individuals without a proper charge. "We didn't come to power to take revenge. We are here to work. If we can't do that we will go home," Sabry remarked.