The Supreme Court has sentenced a lawyer who was found guilty of contempt of court and violation of Supreme Court rules by acting maliciously towards the Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges.
The lawyer, Susil Jayatunga, has previously been suspended from practicing law and has been sentenced to three years in prison with rigorous imprisonment by the Supreme Court. In addition, the order also states that he be dismissed from the position of lawyer.
A three-member Supreme Court bench announced this decision recently after examining three complaints filed against the respondent by the Attorney General.
Supreme Court Justice Achala Vengappuli, who announced the decision with the concurrence of the other judges, stated that the respondent has no previous convictions and that the court will take this into account when imposing the sentence.
In addition, considering the fact that the respondent is a father of three, the judge announced the verdict and said that the sentence will be implemented with effect from July 1, 2024, the date of remand of the respondent.
These complaints had been filed against the respondent, Susil Jayatunga, who was a former lawyer, alleging that he had committed contempt of court by presenting facts in a manner that was insulting to the court and unbecoming of a lawyer, while appearing for a trial.