March 16, Colombo (LNW): The Parliament of Sri Lanka has confirmed that discussions on the highly anticipated ‘Batalanda’ Commission report will officially begin on April 10.
The Acting Director of Communications for Parliament, Mr. Jayalath Perera, revealed that the debate will unfold in two stages, with the first scheduled for April 10.
The debate will run from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM, focusing on the ‘Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme,’ which was presented in Parliament on March 14.
Mr. Perera also noted that the debate will continue into May, with a second session set aside to ensure a comprehensive two-day discussion.
The ‘Batalanda’ report was formally introduced by the Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake, who confirmed that the two-day debate, as previously outlined, will proceed as planned.
Minister Ratnayake also provided some insight into the government’s approach to the findings, revealing that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had authorised a Cabinet decision to take appropriate actions based on the report’s conclusions.
The report, which delves into allegations of unlawful detention and torture in a notorious housing scheme, has attracted significant attention due to its serious implications.
Minister Ratnayake further explained that the government has opted to forward the report to the Attorney General for a thorough legal review, ensuring that any necessary legal actions will be considered.
In addition, a special Presidential Committee has been established to guide future steps and provide strategic recommendations for dealing with the aftermath of the findings.
Notably, the report has implicated several high-profile figures, including former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. In light of these allegations, Wickremesinghe has announced that he will address the claims in a public statement, which he plans to deliver on March 16.
