Lawyers Collective Calls For Review Of 'Helping Hambantota' Trial

February 09, 2015

Lawyers Collective has called for the review of certain controversial court cases including the ‘Helping Hambantota’ case, if the Rule of Law has to be completely re-established in the country.

Last year, former Chief Justice Sarath N Silva apologized from the nation for releasing the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in the trial in 2005. However, Co-convener of the Lawyers Collective Chandrapala Kumarage told BBC Sandeshaya that Silva’s statement is illegal. If he is apologizing, it means he has done wrong, Kumarage stressed.

Kumarage further said that in his opinion, there was no legal barrier to re-examine the court case.

Meanwhile, he also commented on the murder trial against former Parliamentarian Chandana Kathriarachchi and the rape charges against MP Duminda Silva. Kumarage said in both cases, the then Attorney General Mohan Peiris did not conduct his job properly. In the case of Kathriarachchi, Peiris seriously disregarded the criminal law, Kumarage told BBC Sandeshaya.