Gota given three weeks to respond to US court summons
US-based Centre for Justice and Accountability has confirmed that it has filed a civil lawsuit against former Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a US court.
In a communiqué, CJA said the lawsuit was filed against Gotabaya Rajapaksa, for his alleged involvement in the killing of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and the widespread and systematic targeting of journalists perceived to be critical of the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa-led administration.
CJA said although the previous government denied playing a role in the abductions, assaults, and killings of journalists, many attacks were traced back to persons linked to former Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
It said, on the 8th of January, 2009 Lasantha Wickrematunge was killed by masked assailants in Colombo while driving to work.
Lasantha Wickrematunge was the editor of The Sunday Leader, well-known for his political opinion columns and his investigations exposing the then government’s corruption and abuses.
Centre for Justice and Accountability said over a decade has passed since Lasantha Wickrematunge’s death, and still no charges have moved forward and the continued impunity prompted Lasantha Wickrematunge’s daughter, Ahimsa Wickrematunge, to seek accountability for her father’s murder through a civil suit in the United States.
Former Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa was served with a court summons and copy of Ahimsa’s complaint on April 7, 2019 and now has until April 29, 2019 to respond to the allegations against him.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived back in the country on Friday after engaging in a private visit to the US.
(Source: News Radio)
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The R Family, in real trouble.
Ahimsa alleges that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was involved in the extrajudicial killing of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge as well as the widespread and systematic targeting of other journalists perceived to be critical of the Rajapaksa government.
Mr GR has three weeks from the time of service to respond to our complaint, by either affirming or denying the facts we allege or by filing a motion to dismiss. If he does not respond, the case can still proceed without him, and the court will assess the strength of our claims against him.
If the judge or jury determines that GR was indeed responsible for the crimes in the complaint, the case will result in monetary damages. The R Family is worth USD 18 billion according to Forbes Magazine.. Unlike a criminal case, it will not result in any jail time.
The Yahapalana Govt has been pursuing this case and others through the FCID; the Boss of FCID is an ultra-corrupt. Using his position and FCID Boss, he has built an impressive penthouse portfolio in CBO.
The Yahapalana terminated his term as FCID Boss but no charges though, he and his faimily are enjoying the Penthouses.
We the millenials would like Ahimsa W as the next President.