PC accused of assaulting lawyer was transferred on disciplinary grounds, Court told

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 

The Court of Appeal was informed yesterday that the police constable allegedly involved in the assault of a lawyer at Mount Lavinia court premises had been transferred to the Mount Lavinia Police Headquarters Station from the Kesbewa Police Station on disciplinary grounds, prior to this incident, in accordance with the Public Service Commission Procedural Rules. 

Appearing for the petitioner Wanninayake, President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya told court that although the police constable had been transferred on disciplinary grounds, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had failed to disclose this fact to the court. He raised concern over how this policeman was assigned for duty at the Mount Lavinia Court premises.  President’s Counsel Jayasuriya informed the two-judge bench of the Court of Appeal, comprising President of the Court of Appeal Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando, that a copy of the police transfer letter dated August 5, 2025, would be submitted to court by way of a motion.  The court subsequently fixed the matter for January 14.

Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake had earlier filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal seeking an order to prevent his arrest prior to being produced before court, in connection with the alleged incident involving the police constable at the Mount Lavinia Court premises. 

However, Wanninayake, through his counsel, later informed court that he would surrender before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, following which he was released on bail.