PCs perturbed over move to discredit Gotabaya

 From left: Mayura Gunawansa, PC; Kushan de Alwis, PC; Razeek Zarook, PC; Mohan Weerakoon, PC

• Four President’s Counsels say Wickrematunge case being used to discredit SLPP candidate
• Say it is attempt to influence election 

A group of President’s Counsels who support SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday that they were perturbed that a lot of misinformation was being spread regarding the dismissal of the case filed in the USA against the candidate by Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.

The four President’s Counsels, namely Razeek Zarook PC, Kushan de Alwis PC, Mohan Weerakoon PC and Mayura Gunawansa PC, told a press briefing that US court documents have been distorted by some, in an attempt to discredit Rajapaksa ahead of the poll.

“The election must be fought in a democratic manner without filing court cases to stifle his candidature,” Attorney-at-Law Razeek Zarook PC said.Kushan de Alwis PC said that the California court had held that it lacks the jurisdiction to consider Wickrematunge’s claims, because, in the court’s view, Rajapaksa was entitled to common law foreign official immunity for the acts that are alleged. “This case is being distorted and many attempts are made to slander the SLPP candidate. This is an attempt to influence the elections,” he said.

The attorneys said that they would pursue action against those who have publicly misinterpreted the court ruling. “The US Court has dismissed this case. There is only an option for the petitioner to go to a higher court,” De Alwis said. They also said that court cases are being filed ten years after the death of Wickrematunge which shows that there was an attempt to politicise the case.

“This Government has been in power since 2015 January but is yet to charge a single person for the journalist killings, but now they are attempting to file cases in another country,” Mayura Gunawansa PC said.