• Petitioner alleges that Hirunika made a statement to the media regarding the  order of the Magistrate in granting bail to him

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

A contempt of court application filed against former  Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra was yesterday fixed for September  11 by the Court of Appeal.  

The Court of Appeal two-judge bench, comprising Justices  (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Shashi Mahendran, observed  that there is no necessity for former MP Hirunika Premachandra to  personally appear before the court since a rule has not yet been served  on her in connection with a contempt of court application.  

 President’s Counsel Farman Cassim, appearing for Hirunika  Premachandra, brought to the court’s attention that his client is not  required to personally appear before the court since a charge sheet has  not been served on her regarding this application.  

The petitioner, Hisham Jamaldeen alleged that respondent  Hirunika Premachandra had made a statement to the media regarding the  order of the Magistrate in granting bail to him while there is an  ongoing proceeding before the Magistrate’s Court of Mount Lavinia.   

It was alleged that the conduct of the respondent is  tantamount to interference with ongoing judicial proceedings and an  attempt to create suspicions in the minds of the public towards the  administration of justice. The petitioner is seeking an order to issue a  rule under Section 10(3) (a) of the Contempt of Court, Tribunal or  Institution Act No.08 of 2024.   

Counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne with Gamindu  Karunasena, instructed by Sarravanan Neelakandan Law Associates,  appeared on behalf of the petitioner.