9 November 2021 12:00 am Views - 318
Case filed for allegedly undermining CA judgement delivered regarding SAITM in 2017
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The Court of Appeal yesterday fixed for November 23 to deliver its order regarding a preliminary objection raised by Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya.
This is in connection with a contempt of court case filed against Dr. Padeniya for allegedly undermining the Court of Appeal judgement delivered regarding the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine Limited (SAITM) in 2017.
Dr. Padeniya through his lawyers raised a preliminary objection against the petitioners’ move to furnish a CD in court which contains the alleged offensive statement.
Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice (President) Priyantha Fernando and Justice Sampath Abeykoon announced that the court would deliver its order regarding the preliminary objection on November 23.
At a previous occasion, a charge sheet was served on GMOA President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya by Court of Appeal for allegedly undermining the Court of Appeal judgement dated January 31, 2017, which was delivered compelling the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to register the MBBS graduates of the SAITM provisionally as medical practitioners in terms of the Medical Ordinance.
The Court of Appeal had earlier observed that there are sufficient materials to issue a rule against Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya in respect of a charge sheet filed against him over contemptuous statements.
However, Dr. Padeniya through his lawyers had informed Court of Appeal that his client was not pleading guilty to the charge sheet when it was read out to him.
Two civil society activists Prof. Sarath Wijesuriya, the Convener of National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) and Gamini Viyangoda, the co-convener of Puravesi Balaya Social Movement had filed this contempt of Court action naming GMOA President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya as the respondent. President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appeared for the petitioners. President’s Counsel Gamini Marapana appeared for Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya.