Ample evidence against Gnanasara Thera for Contempt of Court: Attorney General | Daily News

Ample evidence against Gnanasara Thera for Contempt of Court: Attorney General

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that there is ample evidence to prove that Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven.Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera had intentionally committed offences amounting to Contempt of Court at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court.

Senior Deputy Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya appearing for the Attorney General made oral submissions for the prosecution before Court of Appeal President Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Shiran Goonaratne.

Abeysuriya stated that the prosecution’s witnesses including Homagama former Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake and Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris had given evidence citing that the accused had been involved in an offensive behaviour at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court on January 25, 2016.

Abeysuriya reiterated the importance of meting out punishment on the accused if found guilty for an offence over Contempt of Court since laws relating to Contempt of Court had been brought to enhance the public’s respect on the judiciary.

President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva appearing for Gnanasara Thera told Court that there is no exact law to charge his client for Contempt of Court and alleged that the prosecution was relying on the laws and regulations available in India.

Silva moved the Court of Appeal that court’s judicial mind be specially applied to this case since it was a matter connected with a higher judicial officer (Magistrate) and an officer representing the judicial bar (DSG).

The Defence Counsel sought further time to make his oral submissions. Further inquiry into the matter was fixed for June 5.

The Court of Appeal proceeding had listed eight persons, including Homagama Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake, Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris and Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma as witnesses.

The Court of Appeal earlier overruled preliminary objections raised by Ven.Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera against the amended charge sheet.

Former Homagama Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake had referred this Contempt of Court action to the Court of Appeal since it is vested with powers to inquire into such a complaint.

Ven.Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera was also issued with an amended charge sheet comprising four counts alleging that the accused had committed a punishable offence which comes under Article 105 of the Constitution.

Ven.Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera was issued with a charge sheet signed by the Court of Appeal’s President.

On January 25, Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera began to address Open Court after the court hearing pertaining to the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda was over. The Thera was arrested by police on the charges of Contempt of Court, obstructing Court proceedings and intimidating a public servant.

The Homagama Magistrate has sought the Appeal Court’s jurisdiction to consider whether the alleged offensive behaviour and utterance of Gnanasara Thera inside the Court amounts to Contempt of Court. He further sought Court’s jurisdiction to take legal action against Gnanasara Thera if the charges levelled against him amounts to Contempt of Court.


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