Notices relating to contempt of court issued on IGP and four others

The notices relating to contempt of court charges were yesterday (23) issued on IGP Chandana Wickremaratne and four other police officers by Supreme Court.

This is for their failure to adhere with the Supreme Court's order to take necessary action to pay the salary of former CID sub inspector Sugath Mendis who was arrested and interdicted along with former CID Director Shani Abeysekera.

Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, S. Thurairaja and Mahinda Samayawardena issued notices directing
IGP Chandana Wickremaratne, DIG Mahinda Gunarathna, DIG J. S. Wirasekara, SSP  M. N. S. Mendis and ASP Sanath Kumara to appear in court on November 16.
It was transpired in court that police inaction had delayed the implementation of court order to pay the salary of former CID sub inspector.

On May 18, the supreme court ordered that former CID sub inspector be paid his full salary and entitlements with effect from 23/03/2022.

Sub-inspector Mendis was arrested and remanded for 11 months in connection with allegations that his superior officer SSP Shani Abeysekara had planted weapons in certain premises to frame former DIG Vaas Gunawardena who was convicted along with his son and four others by a trial-at-bar for murdering millionaire businessman Mohomed Shyam. 

Mendis was granted bail along with SSP Shani Abeysekara by the Appeal Court which noted several contradictory positions in complaints made against Mendis that evidently contained fabrications and false versions. Mendis had complained that he was taken in and remanded for refusing to falsely allege that SSP Abeysekara had planted weapons to frame Vaas-Gunawardena and others.

Mendis' petition complained to the supreme court, that he was denied due process and has been wrongfully interdicted and denied his salary and entitlements inflicting hardship to him and his family. These acts of harassment violate his fundamental rights, he complained. 

Senior Counsel Viran Corea with counsel Thilini Vidanagamage instructed by Attorney-at-law Lilanthi de Silva appeared for the petitioner. Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath appeared for the Attorney General. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)