To investigate how the Satyagraha conducted by Wimal Gammanpila Dilith, claiming to be on behalf of Sale, constituted contempt of court

The Fort Magistrate's Court has ordered that a group of political activists be reported to the Court of Appeal for criticizing the judicial process during a Satyagraha held to demand the release of former National Intelligence Chief Thuan Suresh Sallay, who was arrested and detained in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

Those who have been ordered to be reported to the Court of Appeal are former ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila, Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera, Sri Lanka People's Party leader Asanka Navaratne, former Presidential Secretary Sugishwara Bandara, and Senior Lecturer Mahinda Pathirana.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has pointed out, in a detailed report submitted to Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara, that the individuals concerned violated the Contempt of Court Act No. 8 of 2024 by making statements during the Satyagraha organized near the Fort Railway Station, while the court had already set a date to deliver a decision regarding Mr. Suresh Sallay's health condition.

According to the investigations conducted into this incident, unedited video footage obtained from 10 electronic media institutions including Swarnavahini, Derana, Sirasa, and Independent Television, statements from journalists and media managers, as well as sworn affidavits, have been submitted to the court by the CID as evidence.

The Magistrate, having studied the facts and evidence presented, stated that it is prima facie clear that the judicial process has been criticized through the relevant comments, and that it was decided to report the matter to the Court of Appeal to take further legal action regarding statements made in a manner that affects the independence of the judiciary and the legal process.