Manusha seeks removal of justice minister Sabry

COLOMBO (News1st): Opposition lawmaker Manusha Nanayakkara has handed over a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana seeking the removal of Ali Sabry from his post as justice minister. Earlier in the day, Nanayakkara had claimed that a judge named Laffir Thahir had been promoted to the provincial high court after issuing a verdict favouring a particular side. "It is now clear that the Justice Minister manipulated the judicial proceedings by using this promotion as a bribe for his own advantage," the Samagi Jana Balawegaya lawmaker said. In his letter, Nanayakkara noted that: "I believe we need to intervene in these matters as it erodes the sacredness of the judiciary and makes a mockery of the rule of law". He added that the new appointment of the judge should be annulled and requested the speaker to initiate disciplinary action against him. The MP said that the conduct of Minister of Justice Ali Sabry being an Attorney at Law and a President's Counsel cannot be condoned in any manner. He added that Ali Sabry should therefore be removed from his position as he is not suitable to hold the office as the Minister of Justice.