STAFF REPORTER
COLOMBO : The hearing of the case filed against former Western Province Governor Azath Salley began Tuesday,Nov.02 before Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja.
The testimony of Jathika Nidahas Peramuna media spokesman and Member of Parliament Mohamed Muzammil, a witness to the complaint, was recorded, along with that of Nimal Piyatissa, another Member of Parliament of the Sri Lanka People’s Front.
Azath Salley was produced in court by prison officials in a wheelchair.
Muzammil, who testified under the direction of Senior State Counsel Wasantha Perera, said that he had lodged a complaint with the CID after he feared that a statement made by Azath Salley at a press conference March may cause an ethnic conflict.
Muzammil went on to testify that Azath Salley had made it clear at the press conference that he did not accept the law of the land and that he had taken action to lodge a complaint regarding the hate speech.
The indictment filed by the Attorney General states that he had made a statement that “We have no law other than the Qur’an and the Prophet’s hadiths.”
According to an audio recording relayed in court, on March 09, Azath Salley said, “Our law is for us. Your law is for you. We see the right and the wrong.”
Azath Salley was indicted by the Attorney General in the Colombo High Court on two counts of violating the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights by inciting sectarian strife.
The trial was put off for November 9
President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne appeared for defendant Azath Salley.
The law of the Quran and prophetic narrations says obey Allah, the Prophet and those in authority. Therefore, Sally statement encompasses local laws/authority.
Reflects ignorance and lack of understanding if the Quran by the complainants.