Archives

Lawyer allowed bail on severe conditions

by Kumar Wethasinghe

The Court of Appeal on Wednesday allowed bail in Rs 100,000 with a Rs 500,000 surety bail on Upali D. Welaratne, a lawyer convicted of contempt of court.

The court also ordered that he should not leave the country without court permission. The bail application had been made following a revision application made to the Supreme Court against his conviction.

On Tuesday, Welaratne was sentenced to two years' rigorous imprisonment in addition to a Rs 500,000 fine.

The Bench comprised Justices Shirani Tilakawardane and Chandradasa Nanayakkara.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Tilakawardane said it is important to take into regard that the action of contempt is based on the premise that a well-regulated law of a civilised community cannot be sustained without sanctions being imposed for such conduct. Maintaining the respect and dignity of the Court and its officers and especially the lawyers whose task it is to uphold and enforce the law is essential because public faith in the administration of justice would be undermined and the Law itself would fall into disrepute otherwise.

A petition was filed against Welaratne for ignoring a court order issued on him restraining the construction of a building.

A.K. Premadasa PC with C.E. de Silva supported the petition. S. Jayatilaka appeared for the respondent lawyer. Hemantha Warnakulasuriya supported the bail application.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager