October 13, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government has signalled its intent to pursue legal proceedings against prominent legal practitioner Gunaratne Wanninayake, following a confrontation within the Mount Lavinia Court complex that has raised questions about professional conduct and law enforcement accountability.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala announced that Wanninayake’s behaviour within the courthouse will be addressed through formal legal channels, characterising his actions as amounting to contempt of court—a grave charge within the judicial system.
The incident, which unfolded during a dispute involving the relocation of a vehicle within court grounds, has sparked a broader investigation into the conduct of both police officers and legal professionals.
Efforts to contact Wanninayake intensified yesterday (12) when officers visited his residence, though he was reportedly not present at the time. The lawyer had earlier been requested to present himself for questioning, but according to reports, he has indicated that he will only engage with the process after seeking guidance from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya confirmed that the Attorney General’s Department has been consulted regarding the arrest of a police constable implicated in the alleged assault of a lawyer during the altercation. A state counsel is expected to appear in court on behalf of the detained officer as proceedings resume.
The constable, who was taken into custody after accusations that he physically attacked a lawyer during the disagreement, remains on remand until October 13. The Mount Lavinia Additional Magistrate has ordered a thorough examination of CCTV footage from the scene as part of the inquiry, and the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has been tasked with evaluating the conduct of police personnel involved in the incident.
The altercation, which occurred on October 10, has ignited debate within both legal and law enforcement circles. In addition to the claims of assault, further allegations have emerged suggesting that Wanninayake, who was accompanying the assaulted lawyer, may have attempted to threaten or interfere with the duties of the police officer involved. This aspect of the incident is now subject to a separate police investigation.
