CA fixes inquiry date for contempt charge against Gnanasara Thero for 24 May

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Court of Appeal yesterday (16) fixed for 24 May the hearing of the contempt of court charge against Gnanasara Thero.

The bench comprised Justice Vijith K. Malalgoda and Justice P. Padman.

The Court on 28 February overruled the preliminary objection raised by respondent Gnanasara Thero.

The Court on 27 September directed the Attorney General to consider amending the summons if necessary against Gnanasara Thera with the particulars of his alleged offensive conduct with regard to the language and gestures used at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court. Homagama Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake filed a Contempt of Court action in the Court of Appeal against Gnanasara Thero, the Bodu Bala Sena’s (BBS) General Secretary, seeking the Appeal Court’s constitutional jurisdiction against his alleged behaviour at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court on 25 January last year.

On 25 January, Gnanasara Thera began to address open court after the court hearing over the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda ended. Later on, Gnanasara Thero was arrested by Police on the charges of contempt of court, obstructing court proceedings and intimidating a public servant.

Through this contempt of court action, the Homagama Magistrate has sought the Appeal Court’s jurisdiction to consider whether the alleged offensive behaviour of Gnanasara Thero inside the court amounted to contempt of court.He further sought the court’s jurisdiction to take necessary legal action against Gnanasara Thero if the charges levelled against him amounted to contempt of court.

Manohara de Silva PC appeared for the accused thero. Deputy Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya appeared for the Attorney General as Amicus Curiae (friend of the court, the one who assists the court by furnishing information or advice regarding questions of law or fact).