The Court of Appeal ordered today (14) that the writ petition—filed by MP Dilith Jayaweera challenging a complaint made by the Fort Magistrate accusing him of contempt of court during a television interview—be taken up again on September 18 for further proceedings.
This petition, submitted by MP Dilith Jayaweera (Leader of the Sarvajana Balaya party), was heard before the Court of Appeal today for the second time.
Appearing on behalf of the petitioner, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry requested the bench to facilitate the screening of the relevant television program in open court to demonstrate his client’s innocence. Having considered the request, the Court of Appeal bench ordered the Registrar of the Court of Appeal to provide the necessary technical facilities to screen the relevant video footage in court.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate had referred the complaint to determine whether the dignity of the court had been undermined by remarks made by ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ leader and Member of Parliament, Dilith Jayaweera, during a recent political interview on a television channel.
Dilith Jayaweera filed this writ petition in the Court of Appeal seeking to quash the Magistrate’s actions and the complaint, contending that they were contrary to the law