Three Appeals Court judges have recused themselves

New Bench to hear motion to revoke stay order against SLC Interim Committee

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

The Court of Appeal has scheduled the next hearing for the petition concerning the Sri Lanka Cricket interim committee on November 20.This case will be reviewed by a new panel of judges within the Court.

This decision follows the recusal of three judges from hearing the motion filed by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe to revoke the stay order against the recently appointed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Interim Committee.

On Thursday, Justice Neel Iddawela withdrew from the two-judge bench, alongside Justice D.N. Samarakoon.On Tuesday (November 14), Court of Appeal President Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne recused himself due to recent unfair criticism from the Sports Minister, certain Cabinet members, and parliamentarians.

The Sports Minister’s legal representative objected to Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne presiding over the petition. Consequently, the case was transferred to another Court of Appeal bench.

However, Justice Dhammika Ganepola also withdrew from the bench, comprising Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna, citing personal reasons. Consequently, the case has been referred to form a new bench for its hearing.