The Colombo High Court yesterday acquitted former Western Province Governor Azad Salley from the case filed against him for allegedly making a controversial statement at a press conference that violated inter-ethnic harmony.
Announcing the judgement before open Court, Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja acquitted the accused of all charges, giving the defence the benefit of the doubt as the charges against him had not been proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
Following the verdict, President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne appearing for Salley, sought a court order to order plaintiffs to pay a compensation for the notoriety caused by the arrest and remand of the accused for nine months on charges of making false allegations under sections 17 (2), (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code in view of the disrepute, time and labour cost incurred.
Senior State Counsel Wasantha Perera, appearing for the Attorney General, told court that there was no objection from the Attorney General and that the plaintiffs should be consulted in this regard.
Accordingly, the Colombo High Court judge issued notice to MPs Mohamed Muzammil, Jayananda and Nimal Piyatissa to appear before the court on February 21.
The Attorney General had filed indictments against former Western Province Governor Azath Salley in the Colombo High Court allegedly violating inter-ethnic reconciliation by making a controversial statement at a press conference on March 09, 2021 and inciting sectarian tensions by committing an offense under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights.
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