The Attorney General today (23) informed the Court of Appeal that two charge sheets have been filed against State Minister Sanath Nishantha on charges of contempt of court.
The State Counsel representing the Attorney General in Court informed of the move when three petitions filed by the Sri Lanka Judicial Officers Association and attorneys Priyalal Sirisena and Vijitha Kumara were taken up for consideration this afternoon.
The petitioners say that State Minister Nishantha during a media briefing held in Battaramulla on the 23rd of August, made a statement in relation to the arrest and release of protesters, and claim that amounts to a direct interference with due administration of justice.
They also state that Sanath Nishantha attempted to influence future Court orders and attempted to intimidate the Judiciary in general.
The State Counsel informed that a video recording has been requested by the media unit of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna that is yet to be submitted.
The State Counsel requested Court to grant approval to assess the voice recording of the State Minister with the recording if the defendant fails to admit that he made a statement.
Attorneys representing State Minister Nishantha, Faisz Musthapha and Faiszer Musthapha raised objections to the request.
However, Court informed the State Counsel to obtain reports from the Government Analyst based on video recordings obtained by media organisations of the statement made by the State Minister.
The case was accordingly postponed till the 28th of March.
