Wimal, Gammanpila, Dilith J. Among Six Referred for Contempt of Court Action

COLOMBO (News 1st); Facts have been reported to the Court of Appeal regarding six political activistsover allegations of contempt of court.

The action follows an order issued by the Fort Magistrate's Court on August 5.

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Sugeeshwara Bandara, Dilith Jayaweera, Asanka Navarathna and Senior Lecturer Mahinda Pathirana are among those against whom facts have been reported to the Court of Appeal over allegations of contempt of court.

The matter relates to allegations that the individuals publicly made statements criticizing the judicial process during a Satyagraha campaign held between July 7 and July 15 in opposition to the arrest of former Director of National Intelligence Suresh Salley as a suspect in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks investigation.

In relation to the investigation, the Criminal Investigation Department reported facts before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amaraseena on August 5.

Following consideration of the material presented, the Magistrate's Court observed that, at first glance, the statements made by the individuals appeared to contain criticism of judicial proceedings.

Accordingly, it was decided to refer the matter for the filing of charges before the Court of Appeal against the individuals under allegations of contempt of court.