Judge declines to hear Sanath Nishantha’s contempt cases

• 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 

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Court of Appeal Justice Chamath Morais yesterday recused himself from hearing three contempt of court cases filed against State Minister Sanath Nishantha over his alleged contemptuous statement. 

 
Justice Morais who was the member of yesterday’s bench, declined to hear these petitions since he has given a remand order against Sanath Nisantha, while he was serving as a judge in the Puttalam judicial zone.   

Accordingly, the Court of Appeal-two-judge bench comprising Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Chamath Morais fixed the matters for inquiry on October 31.   
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, why he should not be punished for the contempt of Court charges.   

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