Govt. threatens legal action against Human Rights Commission

The Government is contemplating legal action against the members of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) over the fiasco in the electricity sector.

“We will definitely take action in court against the members of the Human Rights Commission,” Power and Energy Minister Wijesekera told journalists yesterday.

He alleged that officials who had been summoned to the premises of the HRCSL had been threatened with legal action and jail time if they did not sign agreeing to provide uninterrupted power.

His stance follows HRCSL giving an order that the Ceylon Electricity Board should not impose power cuts during a 2-week period of G.C.E. Advanced Level exams for the benefit of students. HRCSL move was after a large number of complaints from parents. It summoned the Power and Energy Ministry Secretary and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to act accordingly.

However, the CEB disregarded the HRCSL and PUCSL directive and continued with power shedding.