CID seeks contempt charges against Dilith, Wimal, Gammanpila, others over Easter attack comments
COLOMBO – The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that public statements made by six political and public figures regarding the Easter Sunday attacks investigation amount to contempt of court and has launched an investigation into the matter.
The CID made the submission before Colombo Magistrate Pasan Amarasena on Monday (15) through a motion and a 14-page report outlining the basis for the inquiry.
Those named in the investigation are Parliamentarian Dilith Jayaweera, former ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila, former presidential secretary Sugeeswara Bandara, and public figures Mahinda Patirana and Asanga Navaratna.
CID officers told the court that the six individuals had made statements through electronic media platforms and social media concerning the ongoing Easter Sunday bombings investigation, which they alleged were intended to create public dissatisfaction, suspicion and mistrust regarding the conduct of the inquiry and the actions of the judiciary.
According to the CID, the statements were made while investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks were ongoing and during the hospitalization of former State Intelligence Service Director Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay, who has been named as the third suspect in the case.
Investigators informed the court that Sallay had commenced a hunger strike on June 5 and was subsequently admitted to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka on June 7, where he continues to receive treatment under the supervision of specialist medical teams.
The CID alleged that comments made by the six individuals during this period sought to influence public opinion against the court and undermine confidence in the judicial process.
Officers further stated that investigations are being conducted under several legal provisions, including allegations that attempts were made to divert or obstruct the Easter Sunday bombings investigation.
The department said it intends to seek indictments against the six individuals in the Court of Appeal under the Contempt of Courts, Tribunals and Institutions Act, No. 8 of 2024, upon the completion of investigations.
As part of the inquiry, the CID sought permission to obtain unedited video recordings from eight electronic media organizations that broadcast the statements in question. Investigators also requested authority to record statements from technical staff, news presenters and programme directors involved in producing the broadcasts under provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.
After considering the submissions, Magistrate Amarasena granted permission for investigators to obtain the video footage and record statements from relevant media personnel.
However, the magistrate rejected the CID’s request to issue summons requiring Jayaweera and the other five individuals to appear before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on the next hearing date.
The court noted that investigations had only recently commenced and observed that the Magistrate’s Court did not have the legal authority to summon the individuals in relation to a potential contempt proceeding. The Magistrate directed that any indictment should be filed before the Court of Appeal following the conclusion of investigations, after which the relevant court could determine further action.
During the proceedings, CID officers also requested that the Magistrate visit Sallay at the National Hospital, to which the Magistrate ruled that the Maligakanda Magistrate should instead conduct such a visit, as the hospital falls within that court’s jurisdiction.
The court ordered the CID to make the necessary arrangements for the visit to take place before June 20.
The case was fixed for further hearing on July 1.
–ENCL
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.