The Court of Appeal has scheduled an inquiry into three contempt of court cases against State Minister Sanath Nishantha, related to his alleged contemptuous statements. The two-judge bench, consisting of Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Chamath Morais, has fixed the inquiry for October 27.
The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL), representing all District Court Judges and Magistrates in the country, along with two lawyers, filed contempt of court applications seeking sanctions against State Minister Sanath Nishantha over recent statements he made.
Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, representing the Attorney General, requested the Court to schedule an inquiry as the respondent has been given access to the relevant case documents.
Previously, the Court of Appeal had summoned Sanath Nishantha to explain why he should not face punishment for contempt of court charges.
The petitioners, including JSASL President Magistrate Prasanna Alwis, Secretary Additional District Judge Pasan Manoj Amarasena, and lawyers Vijitha Kumara and Priyalal Sirisena, are seeking punitive action against State Minister Sanath Nishantha for contempt of court. They argue that his statement during a press conference at the SLPP party headquarters on August 23, 2022, constituted direct interference with the proper administration of justice.
