A group from the New People’s Front (NPF) has filed a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), alleging that Parliamentarian and attorney-at-law Lakmali Hemachandra made remarks amounting to contempt of court.
The remarks were reportedly made during a Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Development Committee meeting, when a local representative requested the suspension of an eviction order against unauthorized residents on Road Development Authority land in Narahenpita.
Hemachandra allegedly stated that the earlier agreement was not to enforce the court order, noting that the residents had no alternative housing and reminding attendees that enforcement had previously been postponed.
Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala, present at the meeting, clarified that the government could not interfere with judicial proceedings and that any assistance to affected families must align with government policy.
Following the meeting, NPF officials, including Kolonnawa Organizer Ajith Pushpakumara and Ratmalana Division Organizer Saman Ranatunga, submitted a written complaint to the JSC, calling for disciplinary action, including suspension of Hemachandra’s legal license. The party cited precedents where former MPs S.B. Dissanayake and Ranjan Ramanayake were jailed for contempt of court, insisting “the same standard must apply to all.”
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, however, said Hemachandra’s comments appeared “administrative in nature” rather than an attack on the judiciary.
