EFFORTS MADE AND RESPONSES RECEIVED

1

During a FR petition filed by the Lawyers for Human Rights and Development (LHRD) with regard to the above two cases, a State Counsel suggested that an Appeal can be made to the President and President can grant relief under Article 35 of the Constitution.

2

In writing, LHRD brought this to the attention of the Minister of Justice in 2015.

NO RESPONSE 3

A memorandum was sent and a copy of the memorandum was personally handed over to Mr. Romesh de Silva, PC who is the Chairman of the Law Commission requesting urgent action.

NO RESPONSE 4

When inquired later, Chairman of Law Commission informed the LHRD that they could not attend to it as they were too busy with other activities and requested the LHRD to draft the proposed amendment and hand it over to the Commission.

5

The LHRD handed over the drafts of proposed amendments to the Chairman of the Law Commission with its letter dated July 20, 2016.

NO RESPONSE 6

The issue was brought to the attention of the former President, Maithripalasirisena by a letter in October, 2016 with copies to the Chairman, Law Commission, Minister of Justice and the Attorney General.

7

Received copies of two letters in October, 2016 sent by the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary of Justice Ministry, requesting him to take necessary steps with regard to the issue.

8

Received another letter in November, 2016 sent by Senior Assistant Secretary (Administration) of the Justice Ministry to the Additional Secretary (Law), Justice Ministry requesting him to inform the Presidential Secretariat and the LHRD on the steps taken by the Ministry of Justice to address the issue.

NO ACTION SO FAR