PCoI to file contempt case against five SJB MPs in Court of Appeal

By Shyam Nuwan Ganewatte

Chairman of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on political victimisation, retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne yesterday told MPs Harin Fernando, Nalin Bandara, J. C.Alawathuwela, Mayantha Dissanayake and Sujith Sanjaya that the commission had decided to file a contempt case against them in the Court of Appeal.

The PCoI Chairman announced the commission decision when the MPs appeared before the commission yesterday. The SJB MPs had been summoned based on information that they had allegedly made disparaging remarks about the PCoI while speaking to the media after making a complaint to the Bribery Commission recently.

Retired Supreme Court Judge Abeyratne said the Commission decision had been referred to the Appeal Court under the provisions of Article 10 of the Commissions Act, and Clause 105 (3) of the Constitution, naming the five MPs as respondents.

The Chairman asked the five MPs to be present before the Appeal Court once notice is served on them.

The Chairman said according to the opinion of the commission the MPs had committed an offence and their submissions could be referred to the Court of Appeal.

Additional Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya, appearing for the Attorney General, said the matter should be referred to the Court of Appeal. The MPs had made defamatory statements challenging the authority of the commission and in a manner derogatory of the commission while addressing the media near the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Colombo 7.

Also present were SJB General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, MPs Dr Rajitha Senaratne, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Dr Harsha de Silva, and Thalatha Atukorale to witness yesterday’s session.

A spokesman for the commission said that following the hearing of evidence, a case was expected to be filed before the Court of Appeal at a later date on charges of contempt of the presidential commission.

Speaking to the media after the MPs appeared before the Commission, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that a group of MPs including the five summoned by the commission yesterday had submitted a complaint to the Bribery Commission on behalf of the people as per their democratic right.