100 Govt. MPs call for inquiry into release of Bathiudeen’s brother

• Handover letters to President and PM calling for an investigation into the release 
• Point out no legal reason has been given for release
• Want former Minister’s brother arrested again and accountability for Easter attacks ensured 

Protesting the release of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother and calling for a full investigation into the matter, 100 Government parliamentarians yesterday handed over signed letters to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

A statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office said the letters were handed over at Temple Trees and requested the President to intervene to conduct an independent investigation into the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen, who is the brother of former Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. The letter notes that Riyaj Bathiudeen was arrested on 14 April on suspicion of having links to the Easter Sunday attackers by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). 

“Despite there being clear evidence linking him to the Easter Sunday bombers, he was released without any legal reason on 30 September. This is a deeply problematic situation, and we request the President and Prime Minister to conduct an investigation into his release and take measures to re-take him into custody and continue to bring those responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks to book,” the statement said.

Some of the signatories were Nimal Siripala De Silva, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Janaka Wakkumbura, D.V. Chanaka, Sisira Jayakody, S. Viyalendiran, Shehan Semasinghe, Kanaka Herath, Dilum Amunugama, Susil Premajayantha, Mohamed Muzammil, Udaya Gammanpila, Angajan Ramanathan, Kader Masthan, Wimal Weerawansa, Sarath Weerasekara, and Sudarshani Fernandopulle.

Accountability for the Easter Sunday attacks was one of the key points that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) campaigned on, and a fresh Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) was appointed shortly after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was appointed last November. Top politicians, including former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, were among those who were recently called on to give evidence. The PCoI is expected to conclude its hearings later this year.