The Court of Appeal today (Oct. 13) issued a warrant for the arrest of State Minister Sanath Nishantha for failing to appear before the court over contempt of court charges.

Summons were issued on the state minister on September 29 and October 05, ordering him to show cause over the contempt of court charges levelled against him.

When summons were issued on Oct. 05, the parliamentarian was ordered to make an appearance at the court today.

However, the Appeals Court bench consisting of Judges Nishshanka Bandula Karunaratne and R. Gurusinghe directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) today to arrest of the state minister as he failed to comply with the court order.

Previously, three petitions had been filed by Attorneys-at-Law Priyalal Sirisena and Vijitha Kumara and the Judicial Officers’ Association, seeking punishment against the state minister for contempt of court.

The petitioners emphasized in the petitions that the respondent, Sanath Nishantha, who spoke to the media at a media conference held at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party headquarters on August 23, had expressed critical views on the manner in which the magistrates acted in granting bail to the suspects involved in the ‘Aragalaya’ protest movement.

Further, the petitioners alleged that the MP has damaged the honour and the image of the judiciary, while he was out on bail after being remanded in custody by the Colombo Fort Magistrate with regard to the incident of attacking the ‘GotaGoGama’ protest site at Galle Face Green on May 09.

Thus, the petitioners accused State Minister Sanath Nishantha of committing an offence under Article 105 (3) of the Constitution.

Appearing on behalf of the Judicial Officers’ Association, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva requested the court to issue an arrest warrant on the state minister.

President’s Counsels Upul Jayasuriya and Saliya Pieris, who represented Attorneys-at-Law Priyalal Sirisena and Vijitha Kumara respectively, also sought a warrant to arrest the parliamentarian.

Appearing on behalf of State Minister Sanath Nishantha, President’s Counsel Faisz Mustapha told the judge bench that his client is yet to receive the summons issued to him.

After taking into account the submissions presented, the Appeals Court bench ordered to issue a warrant calling for the arrest of the parliamentarian and decided to take up the petitions again on November 10.

Meanwhile, Sanath Nishantha arrived at the court premises to following conclusion of today’s proceedings.