Petitions levying charges of contempt of court against State Minister Sanath Nishantha are scheduled for a hearing before the Court of Appeal on 27 October.
This development follows an order issued by the President of the Appellate Court, Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, and Justice Chamath Morais. The matter came before the court on the morning of 27 September, with State Minister Nishantha present.
Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, representing the Attorney General, informed the court that in accordance with the notice filed under the Evidence (Special Provisions) Act, the defendant has been granted access to review the evidence, and related reports have been submitted.
The charges against the State Minister revolve around allegations that he disparaged the honor and reputation of the judiciary by making critical remarks about the conduct of magistrates in granting bail to individuals associated with the ‘Aragalaya’ protest movement. These comments were made during a media conference held at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) headquarters on the 23rd of August, 2022.
The petitions were filed by Attorneys-at-Law Priyalal Sirisena, Vijith Kumara, and the Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka.