Govt. will not conduct political witch hunt: Rohitha

• Says arrest of Champika and Rajitha done according to law
• Pledges to keep politics away from investigations

By Nuwan Senarathna

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said the Government did not intend to conduct a political witch hunt against Opposition politicians, insisting the arrests of Parliamentarians Champika Ranawaka and Rajitha Senaratne were conducted in accordance with the law.

Speaking to media at the SLPP head office, State Energy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena said the Government did not interfere with investigations of law enforcement agencies. He pledged the Government would take measures to allow law enforcement agencies to work independently.

“We will not continue what the previous administration did. We will not take decisions at Temple Trees to decide who to arrest like they did. Law enforcement agencies are free from political interference, therefore those who committed crimes will have to face consequences,” he said.

Abeygunawardena said comprehensive investigations will be conducted on alleged illegal activities of the previous administration. However, he noted any legal action would be based on evidence and assured politics would not play a role in investigations.

“The Police Commission is functioning and judges were appointed by the Constitutional Council (CC). Considering all of these facts no one can say that law enforcement agencies are biased. These were appointments made by the previous administration, therefore it is unfair to blame us saying we are conducting a political witch hunt,” he added.Abeygunawardena also criticised the behaviour and questioned the impartiality of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for his actions following the arrest of Ranawaka. He charged the Speaker did not stand up to protect privileges of SLPP MPs when they were arrested.

“When arresting some of our MPs the Police did not inform the Speaker and the Speaker did not say a word about it. When our MPs were in remand custody the Speaker did not visit. Why is the Speaker treating them differently from us?”

Pix by Ruwan Walpola 

CID records statement from Rishad 

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday recorded a statement from Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen regarding the Easter Sunday bombings.

According to Police sources, a three-hour long statement was recorded from the former Minister in relation to his brother and a vehicle belonging to State-owned Sathosa. The statement was recorded at CID headquarters in Fort with the Minister leaving the facility in the early afternoon.  

Police are continuing investigations on the 21 April attacks that claimed more than 250 lives. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has been calling on the Government to probe Bathiudeen regarding alleged links to the Easter Sunday bombers. He had denied the charge.