Maithripala’s writ petition to be heard before a five-judge-bench on July 31

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 

The writ petition filed by former President Maithripala Sirisena was yesterday fixed for July 31 by the Court of Appeal. This petition is to be heard before a fuller bench comprising five judges of Court of Appeal on next hearing date.

In his writ application former President Sirisena had challenged the magisterial inquiry and issuance of summons against him in connection with the Easter Sunday attack incidents.The Court of Appeal has already ordered to lay by the magisterial inquiry against former President Maithripala Sirisena at Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

 On October 14, 2022 the Court of Appeal two-judge-bench issued an order postponing magisterial inquiry against former President Maithripala Sirisena. The Court of Appeal further decided to postpone the magisterial inquiry at Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court for a period of 10 weeks.The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court had earlier issued a notice directing former President Maithripala Sirisena to appear in court on October 14, 2022 in connection with a private plaint filed on Easter Sunday attacks. 

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando and Jesuraj Ganeshan, a victim of Easter Sunday attack, had filed a private plaint before Magistrate’s Court urging to take legal action against the former President under section 298 of Penal Code for causing deaths by negligence.   

• Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando and Jesuraj Ganeshan, a victim of Easter Sunday attack, had filed a private plaint before Magistrate’s Court