Three contempt of court cases filed against State Minister Sanath Nishantha in connection with the alleged contemptuous statement made by him were today fixed for inquiry by the Court of Appeal.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, and Justice M.A.R. Marikkar fixed the three applications for inquiry on June 27.
Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, appearing for the Attorney General, informed the court that it had received the Government Analyst’s report pertaining to the video footage, which contains the alleged contemptuous statement made by the State Minister.
The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL), the organization representing all the District Court Judges and Magistrates in the country, and two lawyers had filed a contempt of court application seeking an order to punish State Minister Sanath Nishantha for the offence of contempt of court over a statement he made recently.
The Court of Appeal had earlier issued a summons on Sanath Nishantha to show cause as to why he should not be punished for contempt of court.
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 amounted to direct interference with the due and proper administration of justice.
President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appeared for the Judicial Service Association. Faiz Mustapha PC and Faiz Mustapha PC appeared for Sanath Nishantha.
