The Court of Appeal has issued an interim injunction restraining the Colombo High Court from taking any further action on the summons issued to Avissawella High Court Judge Sahan Mapa Bandara to appear as a witness in the case filed by the Attorney General against Yoshitha Rajapaksa under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, popularly known as the “Daisy Achchi’s Gem Bag Case.”
The order was issued after the Court of Appeal considered a petition filed by President’s Counsel Uditha Igalahewa, Farman Kasim, and Attorney-at-Law Sugath Kaldera.
The petition was taken up before a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Priyantha Fernando and Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya.
The petitioners stated that the prosecution had decided to call Judge Sahan Mapa Bandara as a witness to question him regarding an order he had issued while serving as the Nugegoda District Judge.
Counsel appearing for the petitioners argued that summoning a judge to testify about an official judicial act performed in the course of his duties was unacceptable. They contended that such a move could have a detrimental impact on judicial independence and the rule of law.
Accordingly, the petitioners sought an order invalidating the summons issued to the judge and requested an interim injunction preventing any further action on the summons until the petition is fully heard and determined.
Having considered the submissions and facts presented, the Court of Appeal granted the interim injunction.
The petition is scheduled to be taken up again on June 12.
