The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that several former Members of Parliament are among the 31 identified suspects in connection with the May 2022 attack on the Galle Face protest site known as “GotaGoGama.”
Senior State Counsel Sajith Bandara, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, told the court yesterday that indictments are expected to be filed against the suspects under the Code of Criminal Procedure.
He further revealed that steps are being taken to file charges against then Senior Deputy Inspector General Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was the highest-ranking officer present on the site at the time.
The update was shared during the hearing of five fundamental rights petitions filed by a group of protesters, who alleged that the failure of law enforcement to prevent the attack on May 9, 2022, constituted a violation of their basic human rights.
The petitions were heard before a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justices Shiran Gunaratne, and Achala Wengappuli on Tuesday.
During the proceedings, Counsel Bandara noted that the Court of Appeal had previously issued an interim injunction related to the investigation, but that order has since been lifted, allowing further inquiries to proceed.
The petitioners’ counsel argued that police inaction at the time of the incident contributed to the escalation of violence. In response, Counsel Bandara stated that a significant number of police officers and water cannon vehicles were present at the scene, but were not effectively deployed.
Counsel Sanjeewa Weerawickrama, appearing for former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, objected to the petitions being heard while criminal proceedings were being prepared against his client, stating that it would be unjust. He proposed that the petitions be considered only after the criminal proceedings are clarified.
The parties also agreed not to proceed with the petitions against former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa, as criminal charges are not being filed against them.
Following submissions, the Supreme Court postponed its decision on the petitions. (Newswire)