Three contempt of court cases filed against State Minister Sanath Nishantha in connection with his alleged contemptuous statement were today fixed for inquiry by the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal’s two-judge bench, comprising Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Chamath Morais, fixed the matters for inquiry on October 27.
The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL), the organisation representing all the District Court Judges and Magistrates in the country, and two lawyers had filed contempt of court applications seeking an order to punish State Minister Sanath Nishantha for the offence of contempt of court over a statement he made recently.
Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, appearing for the Attorney General, moved the Court that these applications be fixed for inquiry since the respondent party has been given an opportunity to access the documents pertaining to the cases.
The Court of Appeal had earlier issued summons to Sanath Nishantha to show cause why he should not be punished for the contempt of court charges.
The JSASL President, Magistrate Prasanna Alwis, its Secretary, Additional District Judge Pasan Manoj Amarasena, and two lawyers, Vijitha Kumara and Priyalal Sirisena, filed these applications, naming State Minister Sanath Nisantha as the respondent.
The petitioners are seeking an order to punish State Minister Sanath Nishantha for the offence of contempt of court.
The petitioners stated that on August 23, 2022, Sanath Nishantha, addressing a press conference held at the party headquarters of the SLPP, made a statement that amounts to a direct interference with the due and proper administration of justice.
