9th May Violence: Petition against Shavendra withdrawn

COLOMBO (News 1st); A group of ruling party politicians in Sri Lanka led by Minister Bandula Gunawardena who filed a petition demanding an investigation into the violence that spread across the country on the 9th of May 2022, that led to the torching of several houses of politicians, was withdrawn on Monday (22).

A Deputy Solicitor General appearing for the Public Security Minister, when the matter was called up in the Court of Appeal, said that the Minister had informed that a proper investigation will take place into the incidents.

President's Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena appearing for the petitioners noted that the submissions were sufficient, and thus sought the permission of the court to withdraw the petition.

Chief of the Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva was named as a respondent in the petition, and President's Counsel Faiz Musthapha appearing for the Former Army Commander opposed the request.

However, President of the Court of Appeal Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, and Justice A. Marikkar granted permission to withdraw the application.

39 Sri Lankan politicians including Ministers Bandula Gunawardena, Prasanna Ranatunga, Shehan Semasinghe, and Prasanna Ranaweera who were affected by the violence that broke out on the 9th of May 2022, filed the petition.