Contempt of court case over Wimal's statement: 'Namal was jailed because he is Mahinda's son'

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered the Inspector General of Police to immediately investigate and submit a report on whether former Minister Wimal Weerawansa's statement, criticizing a court decision to remand Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, constituted contempt of court.

The Chief Magistrate issued this order after considering a request made by Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, who appeared on behalf of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, when the case filed against Mr. Namal Rajapaksa regarding the Airbus transaction was called before the Colombo Magistrate's Court.

A compact disc containing video footage of the relevant statement made by Mr. Wimal Weerawansa at a public rally of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna held in Anuradhapura on September 12th last year, was also presented to the court by the Deputy Solicitor General. The court further instructed the Inspector General of Police to obtain video footage related to the incident and conduct a comprehensive investigation.

National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa, who addressed the rally, said:

'Today, Namal Rajapaksa is in jail not for any other reason, but because he is Mahinda Rajapaksa's son. We hear that they are even ready to jail Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Are they taking revenge on everyone associated with Mahinda Rajapaksa's name to please the sixty-eight lakhs? No, to please the diaspora.'

The Deputy Solicitor General requested that appropriate legal action be taken regarding such statements that harm the independence and dignity of the judiciary. Considering the facts presented, the Chief Magistrate pointed out that this incident should not be treated as a private matter, but as a common necessity to protect the power and dignity of the entire judicial system.

Meanwhile, the Colombo Chief Magistrate also ordered that Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who is currently remanded in connection with the Airbus transaction incident, be further remanded until September 29th.