Church files motion seeking fuller or divisional bench to hear Sirisena’s petition

By A.J.A. Abyenayake

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, on Tuesday, filed a motion before the Court of Appeal, seeking a fuller, or a divisional bench to hear the writ petition filed by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

In his writ application, former President Sirisena has challenged the magisterial inquiry and issuance of summons against him in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

On October 14, 2022, a two-judge-bench of the Court of Appeal issued an order postponing magisterial inquiry against former President Maithripala Sirisena, and a writ petition was accordingly fixed for argument. The Court of Appeal further decided to postpone the magisterial inquiry at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court for a period of 10 weeks.

The Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice M.A.R. Marikkar fixed for March 14, to deliver its order pertaining to the application requesting a fuller bench.