Maithripala Sirisena was told to stand in the accused box by the magistrate.

  The Colombo Fort Magistrate today instructed former President Maithripala Sirisena to stand in the dock during a magisterial inquiry as he stayed away from the dock, being an accused in a private plaint in connection with Easter Sunday attacks. When the matter was called before Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage, former President Sirisena refrained from standing in the dock. At this moment, President's Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne, who appeared on behalf of the petitioner, brought to the attention of the court how an accused in a private complaint refrained from standing in the dock. President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha, appearing for former President Sirisena, submitted to the court that his client was compelled to do so since the Court of Appeal had issued an order postponing a magisterial inquiry against his client. The Magistrate observed that the Court of Appeal had only prevented his court from proceeding with a charge sheet against the accused until it made a final order. The Magistrate reiterated that the accused has not been prevented from standing in the dock.  Subsequently, the former President stood in the dock, and a further magisterial inquiry was fixed for March 17. Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando and Jesuraj Ganeshan, victims of the Easter Sunday attack, filed a private complaint before the Magistrate’s Court, urging the court to take legal action against the former president under Section 298 of the Penal Code for causing deaths by negligence. President's Counsel Rienzie Arseculeratne and Counsel Udara Muhandiramge appeared for the petitioners.