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Updated October 23rd, 2019 at 12:36 IST

Lawsuit against Sri Lanka Presidential front-runner dismissed in US

The lawsuit against Sri Lanka presidential front-runner Rajapaksa has been dismissed in a USA court. Ahimsa Wickrematunge meanwhile will appeal the decision.

Reported by: Divyam Jain
Lawsuit
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After a lawsuit which was filed against Sri Lanka's Presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa by a US Court was thrown out, Ahimsa Wickrematunge is set to challenge the order. Wickrematunge is the daughter of the slain journalist who was killed during Rajapaksa's time as the Defence Chief of the country.

Read | Sri Lanka: Court Postpones Hearing Of Misappropriation Case To 2020

The lawsuit

Rajapaksa was the defence chief when Lasantha Wickremathunge was killed in January 2009, about four months ago before the end of the country's civil war. His daughter, Ahimsa Wickrematunge filed a lawsuit in a California court seeking damages from Rajapaksa for his alleged involvement in the killing of her father. 

Rajapaksa is a dual passport holder of the US and Sri Lanka and is the considered the favourite to win November 16 presidential election. He said he has begun the process of renouncing his US citizenship since dual citizenship holders cannot assume political office in Sri Lanka. 

On October 21, a California court stated it granted Rajapaksa a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Ahimsa Wickrematunge announced that the court's decision was disappointing and a setback for the family and also for the movement for ending impunity for the killing of journalists in Sri Lanka.

The Centre for Justice and Accountability which is a US-based human rights legal group had helped Wickrematunge in filing the lawsuit in April earlier this year, accused Rajapaksa of torture, extrajudicial killings and crimes against humanity. After the court ruling, the centre said that the court held that it lacks the jurisdiction to consider Wickrematunge’s claims because Rajapaksa is entitled to common law for diplomatic immunity.

The newspaper Sunday Leader which Wickrematunge's father owned was known for investigative reportage, some of which was about the alleged corruption of Rajapaksa. 

Read | Sri Lanka Polls: TNA Yet To Decide On Supporting Presidential Hopefuls

Rajapaksa's response

Campaign spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella said that lawsuit was politically motivated. A spokesperson said that the killing of Lasantha Wickrematunge was one of the main allegations made by the present government. But after 5 years, they were unable to prove anything in court he said. 

Rajapaksa has been a hero to many Sri Lankans, especially to majority Sinhala community for the role he had in ending civil war 10 years ago. His popularity has increased after the April's Easter attacks which killed 263 people and injured 500. 

(With inputs from AP)

Read | Sri Lanka: Gotabaya Rajapaksa Promises Fresh Probe Into Easter Blasts

Read | Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Malinga To Lead Lankans In 3-match T20I Series

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Published October 23rd, 2019 at 12:36 IST

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