AG files contempt charges against Sanath Nishantha

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Attorney General has filed contempt of court charges in the Court of Appeal against State Minister Sanath Nishantha in connection with the alleged contemptuous statement made by him recently.   

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama appearing for the Attorney General informed court that as per the direction issued by court, the Attorney General has filed contempt of court charges against the respondent State Minister. The Court was informed that a charge sheet in this regard had been filed through a motion and the Attorney General reserved his rights to file a list of witnesses and production items on next hearing date. 

 
Court of Appeal Justice R. Gurusinghe fixed the contempt of court applications for February 23.  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 recently.   

The Court of Appeal had earlier issued summons on Sanath Nishantha to show cause as to why he should not be punished for contempt of Court.   

The JSASL President Magistrate Prasanna Alwis, its Secretary Additional District Judge Pasan Manoj Amarasena and two lawyers Vijitha Kumara and Priyalal Sirisena filed these applications naming State Minister Sanath Nishantha as the respondent.   

The petitioners are seeking an order to punish State Minister Sanath Nishantha for the offence of Contempt of Court.   

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.   

President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appeared for the Judicial Service Association. Faiz Mustapha PC with Faizer Mustapha PC appeared for Sanath Nishantha.