Salley acquitted and released

The Colombo High Court yesterday acquitted and released former Western Province Governor Azath Salley from a case filed against him by the Attorney General over a statement he had made in 09 March 2021.

The Attorney General had filed indictments against Salley accusing him of making comments that harm ethnic and religious harmony in Sri Lanka.

Earlier, the defence had requested the court to acquit and release the accused without calling defence witnesses.

High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja observed that prosecution had failed to establish evidence mentioned in the indictment.

Salley was charged with committing offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act.

President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne appeared for Azath Salley