The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has taken the case of imprisoned former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
SJB MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara have handed over a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet calling for the UNHRC’s intervention in the matter.
In the letter, the two MPs called on the UN Human Rights Chief to start negotiations and discussions with the President and the governing party of Sri Lanka for the liberty and freedom of Ranjan Ramanayake.
MPs Fernando and Nanayakkara left the island on 1st March to present their case to the UNHRC for the release of former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake.
The two SJB MPs have held discussions with foreign ministers and ambassadors of other countries for the release of Ranjan Ramanayake.
Former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake was sentenced to 04-years of rigorous imprisonment by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka over contempt of court charges.
MP Manusha Nanayakkara said the issue of freedom of expression in Sri Lanka was raised with several special groups at the UN, especially the Sri Lanka Desk.
He said concerns pertaining to the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and attempts to politically victimize several former officials, including former Criminal Investigations Department Chief Shani Abeysekara and former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka were also raised with the UN officials.
MP Manusha Nanayakkara further said that MP Harin Fernando has been granted an opportunity to raise their concerns at the ongoing session of the UNHRC, adding that a specific date is yet to be informed. (NewsWire)
