C A orders AG to draft contempt of Court charges against Sanath Nishantha

● The petitioners further maintained that remarks made by MP Sanath Nishantha are calculated to undermine public confidence in the judiciary

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an order directing the Attorney General to draft contempt of court charges against State Minister Sanath Nishantha in connection with two contempt of court cases filed against him by two lawyers.

The lawyers Vijitha Kumara and Priyalal Sirisena had filed these applications against newly elected State Minister Sanath Nishantha for committing the offence of Contempt of Court under the provisions of constitution.

Court of Appeal two-judge-bench bench comprising Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice R. Gurusinghe further issued summons on State Minister Sanath Nishantha to appear in court personally on October 13.

In these petitions, the petitioners states that Sanath Nishantha has been named as a suspect in a case before Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court for attacking Galle Face protesters on May 9, 2022 and the investigations are still being carried out by the CID.

The petitioners stated that on or around August 23, 2022,

Sanath Nishantha addressing a press conference held at the party headquarters of the SLPP, made certain comments on the judiciary of Sri Lanka, especially in relation to the judicial officers.

The Petitioners state the remarks made by MP Sanath Nishantha are in Contempt of Court in as much as the said remarks are calculated to undermine the authority of the judiciary including the court of first instance.