Abuse of attorneys:

Four suspects granted bail

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Minuwangoda Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Kema Swarnadhipathy granted bail to four persons who were charged with contempt of court for using abusive words on two attorneys-at-law outside the courts premises in Minuwangoda.

Two separate cases were filed against the four suspects. Jayantha Wijeyrathna, Sudarshana Wijeyrathna, Supushpa Wijeyrathna and Sujeewa Wijerathna were charged with using abusive words against two attorneys-at-law who appeared for the aggrieved party in a case involving one of the four suspect's family members.

The incident had taken place on October 27, 2011 when the four suspects, unhappy about their family member being remanded, had blamed the two lawyers who appeared for the prosecution outside the Court premises.

Senior Attorney Vernon Cooray, Venuka Cooray and Nilmini Medonza who appeared for the four suspects moving for bail, submitted to court that the suspects were repentant of the unfortunate event and extended the fullest assistance in the investigations and to court.

Senior Attorney Kalinga Indatissa who appeared for the aggrieved attorneys-at-law submitted to court that what had taken place has brought disrespect to the legal profession and the right to an attorney-at-law to function independently.

The judge was grateful to the two Senior Counsel for appreciating the severity of the offences and the effort put in settling the matter in a professional manner.