Read Letter HERE
We refer to the statement we issued yesterday “How some lawyers trivialise legal proceedings”. We produce below Fr Nandana’s letter to the relevant lawyer demanding that the lawyer should publicly withdraw this statement.
12th July 2017
Mr. Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel,
Attorney-at-Law,
No : 33, Royal Range,
Dolalanda Watte,
Kottawa Road,
Thalawatugoda.
Dear Mr. Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel,
I, Rev. Fr. Nandana Manatunga the Director of Human Rights Office Kandy writing in reference to the case of Mr. Daundage Pushpakumara ( the Complainant Appellant of CALA 12/2016 ) which was argued before the two Judges of the Court of Appeal.
I am writing this regarding a statement you have made during the court hearing in your capacity as a counsel appearing for the Respondent Police Officer and the Gramarakshaka that is the 01st and the 02nd accused in this case.
Immediately after the case, I was informed by the instructing attorney in this case, that you made a statement referring to my name and that “I was the one who has tortured Mr. Daundage Pushpakumara and not the police”. This was confirmed by a senior lawyer who was also present in court and heard the remarks made. Both the lawyers have expressed to give affidavits, confirming the information that I mentioned above.
I am aware of the professional privileges of a lawyer. I am also aware that making of statements which are blatantly faults and unrelated to any evidence that has being led in courts is not covered by your professional privileges. By making a public statement in one of the most important forums in the country that is the Court of Appeal has caused severe public humiliation to me. I consider your statement as defamatory and as a violation of your professional obligation.
I am a Sri Lankan Citizen who has lived an exemplarily life and I also a Catholic Priest who is under obligation to live in a manner to be an example to others. In such circumstances the statement that you have made is damaging not only my reputation but also my social and professional image.
Hence, I am writing this to protest against your statement and to request you to withdraw your statement by way of an affidavit filed in the same court, and I further ask you to publicly withdraw this statement.
I have considered it as an obligation on my part to help the victims of torture and ill-treatment as torture and ill-treatment is reprehensible moral conduct damaging not only the individual victims but also the whole society.
I am also aware that my position is supported by the constitution of Sri Lanka.
Thanking You,
Yours in Christ.
[signed]
Rev. Fr. Nandana Manatunga
Director – Human Rights Office, Kandy
