Opposition Parliamentarian and Attorney-at-Law Dayasiri Jayasekara has sought clarification from Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne on the action taken by Parliament regarding serious allegations raised against Chief Justice (CJ) Preethi Padman Surasena.

In a letter dated yesterday (31), Jayasekara asked whether any MP had formally submitted the allegations, evidence, or related documents to Parliament or the Speaker and, if so, whether any preliminary inquiry or other action had been initiated.

Among the matters raised in Parliament are allegations concerning an apartment in Colombo reportedly valued at around Rs. 185 million and said to have been acquired or owned by Damithu Surasena, identified in Parliament as the CJ’s son. Questions have also been raised regarding the alleged source and manner of acquisition of the property and whether it had been declared in the relevant asset declarations.Jayasekara also referred to matters raised in Parliament concerning the CJ’s alleged role in the MV X-Press Pearl case, including the progress or possible delays in judicial proceedings and the recovery of compensation owed to the Government.

He questioned whether the allegations had been referred to any independent institution with the legal authority to investigate and establish their veracity.He further sought to know whether Parliament had obtained any official clarification from relevant Government institutions or the Attorney General’s Department regarding the issues raised in connection with the X-Press Pearl case and the recovery of compensation.Jayasekara called on the Speaker to clarify the steps already taken, or expected to be taken, by Parliament in response to the allegations.