AG requests Trial-at-Bar to hear Avant Garde case

Thursday, 22 August 2019 00:55 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Attorney General (AG) yesterday requested Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya to appoint a three-member Trial-at-Bar to hear the case on the Avant Garde illegal floating armoury.

In his letter, AG Dappula de Livera has pointed out that 13 suspects would be charged over this case under 7,573 counts for violating the Firearms Ordinance, Explosives Ordinance and the Penal Code.

“Having regard to the nature of the offences; the circumstance relating to the commission of the offenses; and complex nature of the available evidence, such information is exhibited before the High Court of Colombo with the view of imploring Your Lordship that a Trial-at-Bar would meet the interests of justice,” the letter stated.

The AG then goes on to request the Chief Justice appoint three judges of the High Court to constitute a High Court at Bar for the trial of the accused. The AG also requests the Chief Justice to name one of the three judges as Chairman and to specify the zone in which the trial will be held.