RW’s arrest controversy: NPP lawyers cry ‘contempt of court’
Claim Opposition politicians discussing Former. President’s arrest, are twisting facts
The National People’s Power’s (NPP) lawyers’ group, yesterday (24), criticized the Opposition politicians including former Presidents that expressed opposition to the legal action against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The lawyers’ group emphasized that these politicians’ critical statements about an ongoing case constitutes contempt of court.
During a press briefing held by the lawyers of NPP group, PC Upul Kumarapperuma spoke about the press briefing held by Opposition politicians yesterday morning: “One of the arguments put forward by the Opposition is that a President does not have a separate private or official life, and that they are one and same. This is merely an argument of the defense, and not a legal argument.”
Claiming that the Opposition is twisting facts pertaining to the case, he said that the Opposition’s arguments may even create doubts about the judicial system among the public. He added that the Opposition is criticizing legal action that took place in accordance with the existing laws and in a court of law, he noted that the Opposition’s arguments are likely to constitute contempt of court.
Moreover, he added that if the Opposition has any concerns about the legal action being taken against Wickremesinghe, they should present those concerns in the court and not in front of the society. According to him, attempts to publicize the idea that this legal action is politically motivated can have a serious impact on judicial independence.
