Court issues stay order on CID investigation into Ravi K. statement

Colombo (News 1st) - Colombo Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today issued a stay order on the investigations carried out by the Criminal Investigations Department, based on the recommendation of the Presidential Commission of inquiry, on the evidence given by MP Ravi Karunanayake. The Chief Magistrate said on the 28th of September a ruling would be delivered if the stay order would be a permanent order or not. The Attorney General and the respondents were ordered by the court to file their written submissions on the 26th of September. President's Counsel Shavendra Fernando filing a motion in court pointed out that though the Attorney General has the power to file a case on matters revealed through the Presidential Commission, the Attorney General has no right to call for investigations into such matters. He noted, if there needs to be a further examination on the matter, the Presidential Commission must be reconvened. Senior State Counsel Lakmini Girihagama appearing for the Attorney General informed the court that the investigations are not based on malice and this is an ideal opportunity for MP Karunanayake to prove his innocence.