By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The decision regarding the contempt of court cases filed against late State Minister Sanath Nishantha in connection with his alleged contemptuous statement is to be delivered on February 2 by the Court of Appeal. 

 
The Court was informed that the respondent had passed away on January 25 following a road accident.  

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 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 in 2022.   

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 amounts to a direct interference with the due and proper administration of Justice.