Court of Appeal orders AG to draft contempt of court charges against Sanath Nishantha

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Court of Appeal yesterday ordered the Attorney General to draft contempt of court charges against State Minister Sanath Nishantha before January 17, in connection with the alleged contemptuous statement made by him recently.   

The Attorney General sought further time to draft the rule against Sanath Nishantha and court was informed that it has to be done after perusing video recordings.   

Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha appearing for the State Minister said the defence is expecting to raise objections against the applications.

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