Dilith's objection overruled – six ordered to jail for contempt of court

The Court of Appeal today (30) decided to dismiss without hearing the petition filed by Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera, requesting a writ order to invalidate the conclusion made by the Colombo Fort Magistrate that he had committed contempt of court. This decision was announced by the three-member bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya, Chamath Morayas, and Aditya Patabendige.

The MP had filed this writ petition challenging the report of facts referred by the Fort Magistrate to the Court of Appeal, concluding that a statement allegedly made by him during a television interview prima facie constituted contempt of court. Six gentlemen, Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Dilith Jayaweera, Sugishwara Bandara, Asanka Navaratne, and Mahinda Pathirana, have been accused. Investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department revealed that certain statements allegedly made by them during the Satyagraha held in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station from July 7 to 15 were critical of the judicial process, and these facts were reported to the Fort Magistrate's Court.

Previously, President's Counsel Ali Sabry, appearing for the petitioner, had pointed out that this referral was made based on incomplete information presented to the Magistrate by the Criminal Investigation Department, and that the discussion in question criticized the actions of the secret police, not containing any intention to commit contempt of court.

The origin of this judicial process stems from the views expressed during the Satyagraha held from July 7 to 15 in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station against the arrest of former Director of State Intelligence Service, retired Major General Suresh Sallay. Following investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department, the Magistrate had reported to the Court of Appeal that Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Dilith Jayaweera, Sugishwara Bandara, Asanka Navaratne, and Mahinda Pathirana had committed contempt of court by making comments critical of the judicial process while the relevant case was ongoing.

Accordingly, Dilith Jayaweera and his group are highly likely to face contempt of court charges.