Wimal, Dilith, Gammanpila contempt case adjourned

A complaint filed by the Fort Magistrate alleging contempt of court against six individuals, including ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ leader and MP Dilith Jayaweera and former MPs Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila, was taken up for consideration before the Court of Appeal for the second consecutive day on Thursday (12).

The matter was heard before a three-member bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abesuriya and Justices Chamath Morais and Adithya Patabendige.

The Court subsequently adjourned further consideration of the complaint until Friday (13).

Appearing for respondent Wimal Weerawansa, President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda told court that the Magistrate had referred the matter to the Court of Appeal under Section 10(1)(a) of the Contempt of Judicial Institutions Act No. 8 of 2024.

He argued that the complaint against his client was based on video footage and alleged that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had misinterpreted the contents of the footage in its submissions to the Magistrate.

Meddegoda said Weerawansa’s remarks related to the detention order issued against former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay and did not refer to the court.

He further alleged that the CID had misled the court and abused judicial power, and consequently had itself committed contempt of court.