Deshabandu’s writ petition Pronouncement of judgment further postponed

• Judgment regarding petition was to be delivered yesterday 
• CA had issued an interim order suspending  operation of  summons issued
• Magistrate prevented from taking any steps including requiring Senior DIG Tennakoon to stand in dock

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The pronouncement of judgment in a writ petition filed by Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon challenging the magisterial inquiry and issuance of summons against him was yesterday further postponed for June 26 by the Court of Appeal.   

On January 26, the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court had issued summons on Deshabandu Tennakoon to appear before Court on February 16 over a criminal accusation that he had allegedly aided and abetted to commit criminal breach of trust with regard to Rs. 17.8 million recovered by protesters inside the President’s House on 9th July.   
The judgment regarding this petition was to be delivered yesterday (23).

However, the Court of Appeal decided to deliver its judgment regarding this petition on Monday (26)   
The Court of Appeal had earlier issued an interim order suspending the operation of summons issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate on Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon.   

According to this order the Magistrate had been prevented from taking any steps including requiring Senior DIG Tennakoon to stand in the dock.   

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage decided to name Senior DIG as an accused in a private plaint filed by activist Mahinda Jayasinghe as per the provisions of the section 136(1) (a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act.   
Senior State Counsel Shamindra Wickrema appeared for Magistrate Thilina Gamage. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appeared for Deshabandu Tennakoon.