Deputy Justice Minister asked to appear in court on public nuisance, obstructing policeman charges

Deputy Justice Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe has been issued with notice to appear before the Homagama Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, over allegations he obstructed a policeman in the discharge of his duties, and threatened him, police said.

The Deputy Minister is also alleged to have violated election laws by displaying cutouts and holding a night time meeting last Thursday, using loudspeakers thereby being a public nuisance.

The incident had taken place at Habarakada in Homagama on Thursday night when a police sergeant had asked Mr. Senasinghe to desist from holding the political meeting as it was a public nuisance. The Police had received a call around 10 p.m. on its emergency line 119, complaining that the noise from the meeting was disturbing the people in the area.

The sergeant who is attached to the Aturugiriya police has complained he was threatened by the Deputy Justice Minister when he requested him to stop the meeting.

Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said the charges against Mr. Senasinghe included display- ing of cutouts, being a public nuisance and obstructing the duties of a police officer.

Mr. Senasinghe told the Sunday Times that he was the first to lodge a complaint with the Senior Superintendent of Police of the area that a policeman, allegedly under the influence of liquor, was obstructing their meeting.

“No action was taken by the senior police officer to investigate my complaint. This particular policeman was not produced before a JMO to determine whether he was under the influence of liquor. Instead they filed action against me for obstructing the policeman from discharging his duties,” he said.

He claimed that election laws had not been violated by his supporters, as the sound equipment used was within the election laws.

“The buffles were fitted on the lorry from which I address meetings. There was no necessity to get police permission to use buffles. You need police permission only for speakers,” he said.

An officer at the Athurugiriya Police denied that the police sergeant was under the influence of liquor.