The Court of Appeal today fixed September 29 to announce whether it will issue summons against State Minister Sanath Nishantha in connection with two contempt of court cases.

Two lawyers, Vijitha Kumara and Priyalal Sirisena had filed these applications against newly elected State Minister Sanath Nishantha for committing the offence of Contempt of Court under the provisions of the Constitution.

A two-judge-bench bench of the Court of Appeal comprising Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice R. Gurusinghe fixed its order regarding the issuance of summons for September 29.

The petitioners state that Sanath Nishantha has been named as a suspect in a case before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court for attacking Galle Face protesters on May 9, 2022, and that investigations are still being carried out by the CID.

The petitioners stated that on or around August 23, 2022, Sanath Nishantha, addressing a press conference held at the party headquarters of the SLPP, made certain comments on the judiciary of Sri Lanka, especially in relation to the judicial officers.

The petitioners state the remarks made by MP Sanath Nishantha are in contempt of court inasmuch as the said remarks are calculated to undermine the authority of the judiciary, including the court of first instance. They further alleged that the said remarks were calculated to bring the judiciary and the members of the judiciary into disrepute.

The petitioners further maintained that remarks made by MP Sanath Nishantha are calculated to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

The petitioners are further seeking an order to punish parliamentarian Sanath Nishantha for committing the offence of contempt of court under and in terms of Article 105(3) of the Constitution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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