Harin files FR to prevent arrest

By Asiri Fernando

Opposition MP Harin Fernando yesterday filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) application with the Supreme Court seeking an order to prevent his arrest.

The legal action of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian comes in the wake of his admission to a private hospital for treatment last week.

Daily FT learns that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Director, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Public Security Minister and the Attorney General (AG) have been named as respondents in the application.

The CID had summoned Fernando last week to record a statement on comments he had made regarding the Easter Sunday bombings of 2019.

Fernando had made several controversial statements regarding the extremist bombings over the years, most recently in Parliament, alleging that key evidence and potential witnesses have not been questioned despite a string of investigations into the attacks.

The Opposition claimed that the Government was trying to silence those who seek the truth behind bombings and that parliamentary privileges were being ignored when MPs were questioned regarding their statements made in the chamber. 

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that there were moves to arrest Fernando and that the Opposition stood by him. 

Several Opposition MPs have visited Fernando in hospital and voiced their support for him.  United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe also visited Fernando last evening.  

Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando responded to the Opposition criticism in Parliament, denying that there was a plan to arrest Fernando and instead suggesting that the CID may be wanting to question the Opposition MP over alleged discrepancies in the statements he made in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks.

The Opposition has also called on the Catholic clergy to speak up on the allegations that the Government is looking to silence those who seek the truth.