Garnier to be directed to a team of psychologists to have her mental condition checked

Garnier to be directed to a team of psychologists to have her mental condition checked

Colombo chief magistrate Miss Lanka Jayaratna yesterday (12) ordered the judicial medical officer to appoint a board of specialist psychologists and to to report to court about the mental condition of the lady visa officer Garnier Banister Francis of Swiss embassy in relation to the incident of being abducted and being subjected to sexual harassment and being questioned about providing visa to one Nishantha Silva. This court order was given by magistrate on recommendation of the
judicial medical officer. At the same time, the magistrate ordered that until statements are recorded and finished from Garnier Banister Francis, the prohibition imposed on her from travel overseas be further extended till next 17th. 

When this case was heard yesterday, the criminal investigation department informed in presence of court that the judicial medical officer has recommended that a specialist team of psychologists is deemed necessary to examine the mental state of this lady and that reports concerning her physical condition would be provided together with those judicial mental reports. As such the magistrate ordered that a team of specialist psychologists be appointed about the lady's mental condition and to forward the report. 

With regard to the supposed prejudiced party Garnier Banister Francis, attorneys at law Miss Darshika Udugamage, Messrs. Amila Egodawatta, Sudarshana Gunawardena and Upul Kumarapperuma appeared in courts. Attorney at law, Mr. Upul Kumarapperuma who appeared on behalf of the lady concerned made a request from court saying that this lady is in a sick condition and for the CID to record her statements at the official residence of the Swiss consulate. The attorney at law made the same request from the criminal investigation department and the attorney general's department. 

On that occasion, senior state counsel Mr.Janaka Bandara  said that he opposes that request. The magistrate who said that accordingly the legal system operating in a consulate office or consulate official residence in a country is different, thus refuted that request. In the same way attorney at law Mr. Upul Kumarapperuma appearing on her behalf pointed out that various news, media discussions, press releases are being released in a manner that is detrimental to this case and that on those grounds an attack is launched on the prejudiced party as well as attorneys at law themselves. The attorney at law further stated that under these circumstances the attorneys who appear on behalf of the prejudiced party if compelled to remove themselves from this court case, it would then have a negative impact on the government too. The attorney who further added that any attorney at law has the right to appear on behalf of some client and that a client has the opportunity of securing the services of an attorney at law. He then told courts that certain media express publish their opinion based on internal information of criminal investigation department in a manner that his client and place of occupation is subject to an adverse influence as well. The attorney then went on to say that a separate investigation should be carried out under the CID in that respect and requested court to pronounce some order to that effect. 

State counsel Mr. Janaka Bandara stated in the presence of court that by now the CID is conducting inquiries in connection with the incident of this lady being abducted with co-operation extended towards that inquiry by attorney general's department and if at all some individual is making any interference at a moment against proceedings to settle the case; in that instance action should be taken. The magistrate in response stated to the prejudiced party that an order cannot be issued in this instance and that initially information should be provided about it and subsequently initial procedures should be adopted. If any person is creating interference in settling this matter justifiably, legal action would be taken, the magistrate said and further instructed the CID to carry out further inquiries about this case and to report the progress. Chief inspector of police, Mr. Ranjith Munasingha appeared on behalf of criminal investigation department while assistant superintendent of police Mr. Indika Lokuge and inspector of police Mr. Kelum Karunaratna appeared before court.

- Hansi Nanayakkara -