UPFA content over SC interim order given to Gota

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) yesterday announced its satisfaction over the Supreme Court interim order given to former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Addressing a press briefing, Parliamentarian G.L. Peiris said that the Supreme Court has issued an interim order preventing the arrest of Rajapaksa until a ruling was given on the fundamental right petition filed by him.

“According to Police Ordinance, the Inspector General of Police only has the authority to establish new units and departments under the Police. However, the Prime Minister has taken on that authority and created a unit called the Police Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID),” Peiris accused.

He added that the Cabinet Subcommittee of the FCID was headed by Prime Minister and they were holding investigations in a political manner. 

“We are not against the FCID.  We are only criticising its procedures. Nevertheless the Government wants to silence the politicians who are a challenge to the State and they want to create a wrong impression about those politicians in the minds of the public,” Peiris expressed. Commenting further, Peiris stated that they were certain that the motion consisting of 90 signatures they handed over in Parliament against Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendan would be passed soon. 

“Parliament is scheduled to meet on 19 May and the motion will be taken up then. Some State Ministers too have signed this motion along with the Opposition,” Peiris explained.

Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena said that former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had made false statements regarding the current economy. 

“Kumaratunga has referred to the past regime and said that the current Sri Lankan economy has collapsed due to the Rajapaksa Government. However, the 2014 Central Banka report would prove that her allegations are incorrect,” Gunawardena added.