Wimal Weerawansa contempt probe ordered as Colombo Chief Magistrate directs the IGP to investigate remarks over Namal Rajapaksa’s remand.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama has ordered a Wimal Weerawansa contempt probe, directing the Inspector General of Police to investigate whether remarks made by the former Minister at a recent public rally amounted to contempt of court.
The order came when the case involving Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was called before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested and remanded Rajapaksa in connection with the SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal.
Wimal Weerawansa Contempt Probe Follows CIABOC Complaint
During the hearing, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara appeared for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and presented facts to court.
He drew the court’s attention to a statement Weerawansa made while criticizing a court order at a rally in Anuradhapura on September 12.
The Deputy Solicitor General also handed the court a Compact Disc (CD) containing video footage that included the relevant statement.
He submitted that authorities should investigate whether the remarks harmed the independence and respect of the judiciary.
IGP Ordered to Examine Complete Footage
After considering the submissions, Chief Magistrate Bodaragama ordered the Inspector General of Police to examine the complete video and audio footage of the relevant statement.
The IGP must investigate whether the remarks amounted to contempt of court and submit a report to the court. The order does not itself constitute a finding that contempt occurred.
Meanwhile, the court also ordered that Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa remain in remand custody over the Airbus deal until September 29.
Global Airbus Investigation and Legal Background
The latest proceedings come against the background of investigations connected to Airbus and SriLankan Airlines.
In 2020, international investigative agencies, including the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), made revelations concerning Airbus, the world-famous aircraft manufacturing company.
Following those revelations, Sri Lankan authorities also initiated investigations into related corruption and financial irregularities.
The Bribery Commission has since recorded statements from various parties while pursuing legal action over transactions said to have occurred during the process of purchasing aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.
The present Wimal Weerawansa contempt probe now centres on whether his public remarks concerning a court order crossed the legal threshold for contempt.
Whether statements made publicly about a case or court decision amount to contempt is a legal question determined under the applicable legal provisions and by the competent courts.
Accordingly, any future legal action over Weerawansa’s September 12 remarks will depend on the investigation ordered by the Chief Magistrate and the report the Inspector General of Police submits to court.
