Bring culprits to book, says President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed IGP Jayantha Wickramaratne to expedite investigations into the grenade attack on the residence of human rights lawyer J. C. Weliamuna and bring the culprits to book soon.

The directive to the Police chief came after a delegation from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, led by its President W. Dayaratne met President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Friday evening.

BASL President W. Dayaratne called upon President Rajapaksa to expedite the investigations and bring the culprits before the law. President Rajapaksa, while ordering the IGP to expedite the investigation, said that he too had been a victim when he was practicing as a human rights lawyer, adding that a certain Police officer attacked his residence. President Rajapaksa, addressing the BASL delegation said he himself is a lawyer and respect the regal profession. He pointed out certain interested parties and political elements could indulge in such unruly acts to discredit the Government.

The President said the Government has been taking every possible step to protect human rights and appreciate the role played by the lawyers to protect human rights. A delegation from the Government Medical Officers Association also met the President on the same occasion to discuss the recent fatal shooting of a woman doctor and the steps taken to investigate the murder. The IGP, who was present at the meeting, pointed out that the main suspect has already been apprehended and further investigations were underway. The President assured that all steps were being taken to address the doctors' concerns with regard to this case.