By Roy Denish.
Wimal Weerawansa appeared in court after an arrest warrant was issued over his absence in the 2016 UN office protest case.
COLOMBO – Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa appeared before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday after an arrest warrant had been issued earlier in the day over his failure to appear when a case linked to a 2016 protest was called.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama initially ordered Weerawansa’s arrest and directed that he be produced before court after noting his absence from the proceedings.
Weerawansa subsequently arrived at court. His lawyer, Manjula Pathiraja, informed the court that the former minister had been delayed because his vehicle had broken down and requested that the warrant be recalled.
The proceedings relate to a demonstration held near the United Nations office in Thummulla, Colombo, on February 6, 2016, during the visit of then-UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.
Police filed the case over allegations that the demonstration obstructed roads around the UN compound and caused inconvenience to the public and vehicular traffic.
The Cinnamon Gardens Police initiated proceedings against Weerawansa and several others in connection with the protest.
The case has remained before the courts for several years. In July, the Colombo Additional Magistrate fixed September 21 for further proceedings after the matter was taken up for hearing.
Monday’s warrant was issued after Weerawansa was not present when the case was initially called. His subsequent appearance before court changed the immediate circumstances surrounding the arrest order.
At the time of publication, reports confirmed that his lawyer had asked the court to recall the warrant following his appearance.
