The Court of Appeal yesterday granted time to the respondents including the Nugegoda Magistrate and the Attorney General to file objections against a writ petition filed by interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya.
The Court of Appeal had issued an interim order suspending the magisterial inquiry against interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya at the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court in connection with controversial telephone conversations with former State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake.
When this petition was taken up before Court of Appeal Justice (President) A.H.M.D. Nawaz and Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna, the respondents were given time until July 31 to file objections.
The Court was informed that the Attorney General has taken a decision not to appear on behalf of the Acting Inspector General of Police in view of his failure to comply with Attorney General’s advice.
The Court of Appeal had earlier issued an order directing Police not to arrest the interdicted High Court Judge without an order issued by a competent Court.
The former High Court Judge is also seeking an order in the nature of writ of certiorari quashing the direction of the Attorney General (2nd Respondent) to the Acting IGP (1st Respondent) to cause the arrest of the Petitioner.
He also sought an order preventing the Acting IGP and his agents from arresting him regarding the controversial telephone conversations with former Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake.
Romesh De Silva PC, M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC, Counsel Sugath Caldera, Ruwantha Cooray and Niran Ankatel instructed by Sanath Wijewardane appeared for the Petitioner.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Milinda Gunatilleke with SDSG Narin Pulle, DSG Dileepa Peiris and SSC Janaka Bandara appeared for the Attorney General.
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