Rishad wants IPU team to monitor his case
Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen has written to the
Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) requesting for a mission to observe
judicial proceedings instituted against him in Colombo and Mannar.
In his letter dated August 23, 2012, the minister said the
proceedings were taking place in a hostile environment.
Minister Bathiudeen stated the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL)
had called for a nation-wide boycott of judicial proceedings even
without seeking a clarification from him.
The minister said furthermore, the BASL has made strong allegations
and stated he is guilty of contempt of court even before an
investigation was initiated or his statement recorded.
“The resulting position is that I am presently called upon to answer
charges of a criminal nature in two courts whilst CID investigations are
still pending.
The vindictive role of the Bar Association and the hostility
generated by the partisan presentation in (some) media has caused me
grave concern which is aggravated by the fact that there are political
and communal undertones,” Bathiudeen said.
“The environment thereby generated is one of great prejudice against
me. Some also made a concerted effort to sensationalise the incident by
seeking to unduly make this out as symptomatic of a clash between the
Executive and the Judiciary.
As such, I am firmly convinced that the appearance of observers from
the Inter Parliamentary Union would be a significant contribution
towards ensuring that justice prevails,”¯the minister said.
Bathiudeen also denied allegations against him and affirmed he has
always accorded the judiciary the highest respect and regard.
Read More…… |