The Judicial Service Union, a judicial collective in which all magistrates and district judges of Sri Lanka hold membership, has lodge a petition at the Court of Appeal demanding a probe and penalisation against State Minister and Ruling Party MP Sanath Nishantha on the allegation of committing contempt of court based on one of his comments during a recent press conference.
The petitioner pointed out that State Minister Nishantha’s comments during a briefing on August 23, 2022 on anti-government protesters being granted bail has undermined the power of the magistrates and the dignity of the Judiciary, thereby violating Clause 105 (3) of the Constitution which leads to contempt of court.
A separate petition against Nishantha’s comments has already been lodged with the Appeal Court and the Ruling Party MP has also been issued summons.
MIAP