Rishad’s resignation will strengthen faith in terror investigations: SLPP

• G.L. insists Bathiudeen relinquishing Cabinet portfolio will shore up public confidence in probes 
• Says action could be taken on Bathiudeen using Penal Code 
• Calls on Govt. to allow military to have more access to key suspects  

By Nuwan Senarathna

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday reinforced its demand for Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to resign, insisting his Cabinet membership creates the possibility of political influence to affect ongoing Easter Sunday attack investigations.

Parliamentarians backing the SLPP handed over a No Confidence Motion against Bathiudeen on 16 May alleging he had links to several suspects who were arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks. The motion also included a phone call to the Army Commander, which Bathiudeen subsequently in Parliament denied was an effort to influence security operations.   

Speaking to media at SLPP the head office, SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris acknowledged even though there was no direct evidence that Bathiudeen had a direct link with suspects of the Easter Sunday attacks, the telephone call to Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake by Bathiudeen regarding a suspect had raised concerns that the investigations could be politically influenced. “Minister Bathiudeen requested the Army Commander to release a suspect who was held in custody three times but the Army commander refused. The people have immense faith in the armed forces but these calls clearly show that there could be instances of political interference. Therefore, the Government has a responsibility to the public to ensure confidence in the investigations and to protect national security by telling Minister Bathiudeen to step down” he said.

Prof. Peiris pointed out that after the lapse of more than a month since the terror attacks Sri Lanka was finally returning to normal but warned any loss of public confidence in the investigations would undermine the economy once again. 

“Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has asked countries to revise their travel advisories but he is allowing his minister to behave in a manner that could reduce the international community’s confidence in Sri Lanka,” he added. 

According to Prof. Peiris, action can be taken against Minister Bathiudeen under the penal code but questioned as to why the Government has not taken action. He, however, observed that Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera and UPFA MP Piyal Nishantha were questioned by police. 

Touching on the dozens of arrests following the Easter Sunday attacks Prof. Peiris questioned why some suspects were not charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). He claimed that some suspects were granted bail because their charges were not filed under the PTA. 

He also called on the Government to allow the military more access to the investigations carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Terrorism Investigation Department (TID) as military intelligence will continue to play a crucial role in long term national security operations. 

Pix by Lasantha Kumara