Magistrate orders former President into the defendant’s dock

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage has strongly advised former President Maithripala Sirisena for his failure to be present in the defendant’s dock when a case filed against him was called in open court yesterday.

An individual who lost a leg in the attack on the St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade on April 21, 2019  and Rev.Father Cyril Gamini Fernando had filed the case against the former President Maithripala Sirisena.

The case had been filed against former President for allegedly not taking steps to prevent the attack despite receiving sufficient intelligence that a terrorist attack would take place on Easter Sunday, 21 April 2019.

When the matter was taken up before the Magistrate, former President Maithripala Sirisena did not get into the defendant’s dock. However, the Magistrate asked him to get into the defendant’s dock. President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularathne appearing on behalf of the aggrieved party directed the court’s attention to the aforesaid incident and raised objections. In Reply, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha appearing for Maithripala Sirisena informed the Magistrate that his client would not get into the dock as the Court of Appeal had suspended further action with regard to a private case filed against his client. The Magistrate pointed out that the Court of Appeal had ordered not to read out the charge sheet against the suspect and not to take action until an order is issued by the Court of Appeal. The Magistrate clearly highlighted that the Court of Appeal had not issued any order preventing Maithripala Sirisena from getting into the defendant’s dock. Accordingly, the Magistrate asked the suspect Maithripala Sirisena to get into the defendant’s dock for the second time. The Magistrate fixed further inquiries for March 17.