Sri Lanka, May 4 -- It is "common knowledge" that court dates in several cases have already been fixed, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said, responding to remarks made at recent May Day rallies of the National Freedom Front (NPP) that more cases would be taken up and decisions delivered in the coming months.

The Minister explained that investigations are first conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department or the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, after which legal proceedings are initiated. He noted that courts have already announced the relevant hearing dates, and the parties concerned are aware of them.

"These dates are no secret-they are already known. What was said on May Day platforms reflects that rea...