UPDATE : AG will not appear for Acting IGP in Pilapitiya Writ Application

Interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya had filed a writ application with the Court of Appeal challenging the fact he was named as a suspect in a case filed with the Nugegoda Magistrate's Court.

The Attorney General's Department said, as per the provisions in Section 393 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Attorney General shall give advice, whether on the application or on his own initiative to Officers of the Police in any criminal matter of importance.

State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, the Coordinating Officer to the Attorney General speaking to News 1st said Sri Lanka Police had continuously disregarded the advice given by the Attorney General with regard to Interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya.

She said for the first time in history an Attorney General had to appear in court without any form of assistance from Sri Lanka Police, to present facts with regard to Interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilaptitiya.

State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said this was because Sri Lanka Police repeatedly failed to comply with the advice of the Attorney General to present facts to court and obtain a warrant against the Interdicted High Court.

She went on to note, Sri Lanka Police is yet to provide an explanation as to why the advice of the Attorney General was not followed.

The writ application was called up at the Court of Appeal in the presence of Court of Appeal President Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz and Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna on Monday morning.

Additional Solicitor General Milinda Gunathilake appearing for the Attorney General said the AG will not be appearing for the Acting Inspector General of Police who was named as a respondent in the application, as the AIGP failed to comply with the advice given to him.