Minister of Justice Ali Sabry says suspects arrested in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks will be granted a preliminary verdict of innocence until convicted by Court.
The Minister said no one can be punished outside the judicial process.
Minister Sabry speaking during the debate on the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Justice, during the Committee Stage Debate on the 2022 Budget said 26 main cases have been filed while a trial-at-bar has been appointed to hear the cases daily from next year.
The Minister said the government cannot take people to jail on a whim adding it is a complex investigation.
Minister Sabry said politicians should not be involved in investigations claiming it should happen according to provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The Justice Minister said a main case is being heard, while two cases are being heard in Kegalle, and another in Puttalam.
He stated that the wrongdoers will be determined by the judiciary and not the government, opposition, Parliament, the Minister of Public Security nor himself.
He said all aspects of the case is being investigated.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Sabry said the new Act to be introduced after reviewing the Prevention of Terrorism Act will be presented to Parliament in the first few months of 2022.
