Supreme Court directs AG:

Issue rule on Irida Lanka Editor

Charge for contempt of court:

Sarath Malalasekera and Hiran H.Senawiratne

The Supreme Court yesterday directed Attorney General President’s Counsel Mohan Pieris, who appeared as Amicus, to issue a Rule against the Irida Lanka Editor and charge him for contempt of court in respect of an article published in the newspaper.

The Supreme Court Bench comprised Chief Justice Asoka de Silva, Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga and Justice K. Srpavan. The Supreme Court also ordered CID to investigate on an authorship of an alleged article published in the Irida Lanka newspaper.

The reason being that the article had allegedly attributes to President Mahinda Rajapaksa certain remarks adverse to the judiciary.

The Court directed the CID to investigate into the matter and submit a report within a week to the Chief Justice and also directed the AG who was present in Court to draft a rule against Irida Lanka newspaper Editor Chandana Sirimalwatta.

The Supreme Court gave this ruling, when Attorney-at-Law J.C. Weliamuna appearing on behalf of the Lanka paper Editor Sirimalwatta informed Court that they seek time to obtain instructions in respect of the article.

Further the byline was under the pen name of a person called Jagath Gunathilaka who does not exist, Counsel Weleamuna said.

Former Bar Association President W. Dayaratne who was present in Court has made a submission that he would tender to Court a resolution passed by the Bar Association in regard to a similar incident at the next appearance on July 21.