The parties in the case filed against UNP former General Secretary Tissa Attanayake yesterday informed the Colombo High Court that they expect to expedite measures to terminate case proceedings initiated by the Attorney General against Tissa Attanayake.
The Attorney General had filed indictments against Tissa Attanayake for allegedly displaying a fraudulent document to the media during the last Presidential Election for the purpose of affecting the result of then Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa appearing for Tissa Attanayake informed that the defence has already written to the Attorney General seeking possibilities of withdrawing the indictments filed against his client following the new developments.
Meanwhile, Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appearing for the Attorney General informed court that the first witness Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has also expressed his willingness to reach a settlement.
DSG Peiris further stated that the prosecution will take necessary steps to notify President Maithripala Sirisena, the second witness in the case regarding the possible settlement.
Counsel Niroshan Perera appearing for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe submitted to court that it would be appreciated if defence could exactly inform whether the accused is expecting to tender his apology or not over the incident.
Accordingly, the case was fixed for March 25 by High Court Judge Vikum Kaluarachchi and parties were directed to report the progress of the settlement on the next calling date.
The Attorney General had filed indictments against UNP former General Secretary Tissa Attanayake for allegedly displaying a fraudulent document to the media during the last Presidential Election by inciting racial or religious hatred among ethnic communities.
The accused had been charged under Section 3(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act No. 56 of 2007. This is the first time in Sri Lanka an accused had been indicted in the High Court by the Attorney General over an offence that comes under the ICCPR Act.
The Attorney General alleged that Tissa Attanayake had publicly announced on December 22, 2014 that there was a secret agreement between the then Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The Attorney General alleged that Tissa Attanayake committed an offence under Section 3(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act No. 56 of 2007 by inciting racial or religious hatred among ethnic communities.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris with Senior State Counsel Lakmini Girihagama appeared for the Attorney General. President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa with Counsel Niroshan Siriwardena appeared for Tissa Attanayake.
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