Decision to issue summons on Sanath Nishantha on 29th Sept.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal said that the decision to issue summons on State Minister Sanatha Nishantha with respect to the petitions filed alleging that he commited contemt of court, will be announced on the 29th of September 2022.

The two petitions were filed alleging that Sanath Nishantha made defamatory comments to the officials of the Attorney General's Department, the Sri Lanka Bar Association, and the magistrates during a press conference held at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party headquarters on August 23rd.

The petitions filed by Attorneys-at-Law Priyalal Sirisena and Vijitha Kumara were taken up for consideration by the court of Appeal judges Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and R. Gurusingha. 

Attorney-at-Law Upul Jayasundara appearing for Attorney-at-Law Priyalal Sirisena said it is essential to ensure the respect of the court is maintained to protect the rule of law. 

President's Counsel Saliya Peiris appearing for Vijitha Kumara said Parliamentarian Sanath Nishantha's statement had an influence on the magistrates. 

The President's Counsel points out, as MP Sanath Nishantha in his statement said that the law is not being implemented in the country, he is undermining the powers of the judiciary. 

He also said that Parliamentarian Sanath Nishantha's statement is derogotary towards to the trust the public has on the judiciary. 

The Court of Appeal informed that the decision on the issuance of the summons will be announced on the 29th. 

It also announced that orders on interim requests, including the imposition of a travel ban, will also be announced on that day.