A threat from Ali Sabry, who speaks on the Namal case

The past week was legally busy and decisive for Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa. He had to appear before the court twice, on the 27th regarding the bus deal and on the 28th regarding the Krrish deal.

Namal Rajapaksa, who is also a lawyer, sparked a discussion among some about how much better it was to be around the court premises like this rather than spending time in a prison cell.

In these legal proceedings, Namal Rajapaksa was represented by two veteran President's Counsels, Shavendra Fernando and Ali Sabry. The case, initially called before Colombo Chief Magistrate Mr. Bodharagama, was later decided to be called before a permanent three-member High Court. However, despite the defense presenting numerous arguments for bail, the Magistrate informed them that he did not have the authority to grant it. President's Counsel Ali Sabry expressed his disappointment, stating that it was a bad situation that bail was not granted despite so many facts being presented.

During the Krrish deal trial on the 28th, a heated exchange occurred between Senior Assistant Director of the Bribery Commission, Thanuja Bandara, and lawyer Ali Sabry. Thanuja Bandara quoted a statement made by Mr. Ali Sabry in a speech the previous day, "Those who are oppressors in this case today might become the oppressed tomorrow," and asked, "Who is Ali Sabry threatening in this manner?" She stated that witnesses are now coming forward to testify, confident that they will not be troubled because the suspects are in remand, and that they had not testified before due to fear. Therefore, she pointed out to the court on behalf of the Bribery Commission that releasing the suspects would be extremely dangerous.

After all these court proceedings, political colleagues Sagara Kariyawasam, D.V. Chanaka, and Johnston Fernando came to visit Namal Rajapaksa that evening. Sagara Kariyawasam said, "Today, Ali Sabry said everything he had to say." Johnston Fernando, who joined in, commented as follows: "The President always says that everyone is equal before the law. But then, his friend, that 'Coal Prince,' wasn't arrested by the Bribery Commission, wasn't brought before the Magistrate's Court, and he's just enjoying himself."

However, at that moment, Namal Rajapaksa was most keen to know the latest status of his mother's surgery. D.V. Chanaka replied, "We went to see her, there's no problem. The second treatment is also being done today."

Subsequently, the discussion shifted towards the party's future activities. Sagara Kariyawasam revealed that there was tremendous public support for establishing branch committees at the village level, and that over 90 branch committees and more than 150 affiliated organizations had already been established. Namal Rajapaksa then instructed them to hold a series of village-to-village meetings to educate the rural population about the ordinances being introduced to suppress the opposition.