On September 15, 2024, attorney Rienzi Arsakularatne addressed a letter to His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, asserting that under a Sajith Premadasa government, compensation had been provided to the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attack, and those responsible had been brought to justice. This letter quickly gained traction on various social media platforms.
Two days later, on September 17, President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya responded with a letter to Arsakularatne, who represents the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. Jayasuriya’s letter strongly criticized Arsakularatne’s stance, describing it as divisive and misrepresenting facts related to an ongoing legal case. Below is a summary of the letter:
Dated September 16, 2024, Jayasuriya expressed shock at Arsakularatne’s remarks, which he described as racially and religiously inflammatory, especially given his esteemed reputation in the legal community. He questioned Arsakularatne’s motivation in writing the letter, suggesting that it was an attempt to sway public opinion in favor of a presidential candidate.
Jayasuriya also pointed to the legal proceedings surrounding the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as Inspector General of Police. A fundamental rights petition had been filed challenging Tennakoon’s appointment, with the case set for a hearing on September 18. The Supreme Court had already issued a restraining order preventing Tennakoon from assuming office.
In his letter, Jayasuriya questioned why neither the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) nor the National People’s Power (NPP) had taken legal action against Tennakoon’s appointment. Instead, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, represented by Hirunika Premachandra, had stepped forward with a petition, alongside public figures and Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. Jayasuriya emphasized that this was not a mere political slogan but a proper legal challenge that had resulted in the court’s intervention.
He further noted that opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and Kabir Hashim had vocally opposed Tennakoon’s appointment in the Constituent Assembly. In contrast, the JVP and NPP had remained silent, failing to present their objections through legal or institutional channels.
Jayasuriya concluded by reaffirming that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya is committed to the rule of law and the people’s interests, stressing that the party does not operate under the influence of a single leader. He criticized the inaction of other political parties in addressing critical issues and emphasized that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya would continue to fight for justice and transparency in governance.
