Azath Sally indicted for creating disharmony among different ethnic groups

By T. Farook Thajudeen

The Attorney General yesterday served an indictment to former Western Province Governor Azath Sally for trying to create disharmony and disarray among different ethnic groups.

The matter was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja yesterday and the Attorney General served indictments to former Western Province Governor Azath Sally for making speeches to create disharmony and disarray among different ethnic groups during a media briefing held on 9 March in Colombo.

High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja fixed the trial for 2 November and ordered to issue summons on witnesses numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15, 34, and 35 to appear before court to give evidence on behalf of the prosecution.

Sally was remanded under the Prevention of Terrorism Act by the Attorney General with two counts of violating the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights by inciting religious conflict during the March press conference.

High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja ordered the Superintendent of Prisons to produce Azath Sally in court yesterday after considering a request made by a motion by Sally’s Counsel Maithree Gunaratna pleaded to call the case earlier as his client is being in remand unreasonably for an interminable period of time  President Counsel Maithree Gunaratne appeared for the defence.