Former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva has disputed the findings of the Karannagoda Committee, which was appointed to investigate the violence that occurred after the Galle Face attacks on May 9, 2022. General Silva’s lawyer informed the Court of Appeal about his client’s objections, both on factual and legal grounds.
President’s Counsel Faisz Mustapha, representing General Shavendra Silva, argued that the Karannagoda Committee was not established under any legal provision but rather by the former President for reporting purposes only. He emphasized that he does not accept the validity of the inquiry and objected to conducting a fresh investigation based on the committee’s findings.
Mustapha alleged that the release of the Karannagoda Committee’s report to the media was motivated by a desire to tarnish his client’s reputation with baseless allegations. He further objected to withdrawing the application based on the committee’s report.
President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, appearing for the petitioners, including several Ministers and parliamentarians, countered Mustapha’s arguments. He stated that General Shavendra Silva had not challenged the board of inquiry report of the military leaders and emphasized that it would not be the final and conclusive investigation, as the Minister had committed to conducting a comprehensive inquiry in accordance with the law. Jayawardena stressed the importance of investigating the conspiracy behind the attacks on governmental institutions and installations, including the threat to the security of Parliament itself.
These arguments were presented during the hearing of the writ petition filed by 22 government parliamentarians representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party and others before the Court of Appeal.
President’s Counsel Faisz Mustapha, along with Kuvera de Zoysa, Counsel Faisza Mustapha Marka, and Sharafi Mohideen, appeared for General Shavendra Silva, while President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, supported by Counsel Rukshan Senadheera, represented the petitioners.
