An end to probe into Salley : Action to be taken within a week – AG’s Department informs Supreme Court 

One out of the two investigations into former Western Province Governor Azath Salley has been completed and the other is in the final stages, Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed the Supreme Court yesterday (14).

A fundamental rights petition filed against the arrest and detention of Azath Salley under the Prevention of Terrorism Act was called before the Supreme Court Judges the L.T.B. Dehideniya, Gamini Amarasekera and Shiran Gunaratne.

Deputy Solicitor General Dileep Peiris said that investigations into a statement made at a press conference last April had been completed. He added that a decision on the course of action could be taken within a week. In addition, the Deputy Solicitor General informed that the investigation into the demolition of Buddha statues in Mawanella is in its final stages and a decision will be taken in another two weeks.

Azath Salley’s lawyer, Attorney Faiz Mustafa informed the court that Salley had not made any hate speech or racial slurs during the alleged media briefing in April and that he has nothing to do with the Mawanella incident. Azath Salley, who was arrested on March 16th, 2021, is currently being held on detention orders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.