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Event

Contempt referral over protest statements, 2026

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Details

Court

Referred by the Colombo Fort Magistrate to the Court of Appeal

Concerns

Statements made at a protest held from 7 to 15 July 2026 against the arrest of Suresh Sallay

Status

Before a three-judge bench; hearings fixed for 15 and 23 October 2026; no ruling reported; Before a three-judge bench; taken up again on 23 October 2026 and fixed for 11, 12 and 13 November 2026; no ruling reported

Appears on

Easter attacks
Politicians and investigators

Last checked

25 Oct 2026 (what this means)

Coming court dates

11 Nov 2026

Before the Court of Appeal, fixed for 11, 12 and 13 November

Connections (4)

• Contempt referral over protest statements, 2026 / Concerns a protest against the arrest of / Suresh Sallay
  • The Fort Magistrate’s Court asked for contempt proceedings over statements six people allegedly made at a protest held from 7 to 15 July 2026 against Sallay’s arrest.5 Aug 2026 · Newswire · Court seeks contempt proceedings against Wimal, Udaya, Dilith & 3 others
• Wimal Weerawansa / Named in / Contempt referral over protest statements, 2026Allegation
  • One of six people named when the Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered the facts reported to the Court of Appeal so that contempt proceedings could be initiated. The magistrate observed that, on the face of it, their statements at the protest appeared to criticise ongoing judicial proceedings. The article carries no response.5 Aug 2026 · Newswire · Court seeks contempt proceedings against Wimal, Udaya, Dilith & 3 others
  • On 7 October 2026 a three-judge Court of Appeal bench ordered documents to be provided to the lawyers for those named, and fixed 15 October and 23 October for further steps.7 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Contempt case against Wimal, Gammanpila, and Dilith taken up by Court of Appeal
  • The case was taken up again on 23 October 2026 before a three-judge bench presided over by Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya, which ordered it to be taken up on 11, 12 and 13 November.23 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Appeals Court case against Dilith Jayaweera and several others to be taken up in November
• Udaya Gammanpila / Named in / Contempt referral over protest statements, 2026Allegation
  • One of six people named when the Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered the facts reported to the Court of Appeal so that contempt proceedings could be initiated. The magistrate observed that, on the face of it, their statements at the protest appeared to criticise ongoing judicial proceedings. The article carries no response.5 Aug 2026 · Newswire · Court seeks contempt proceedings against Wimal, Udaya, Dilith & 3 others
  • On 7 October 2026 a three-judge Court of Appeal bench ordered documents to be provided to the lawyers for those named, and fixed 15 October and 23 October for further steps.7 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Contempt case against Wimal, Gammanpila, and Dilith taken up by Court of Appeal
  • The case was taken up again on 23 October 2026 before a three-judge bench presided over by Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya, which ordered it to be taken up on 11, 12 and 13 November.23 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Appeals Court case against Dilith Jayaweera and several others to be taken up in November
• Dilith Jayaweera / Named in / Contempt referral over protest statements, 2026Allegation
  • One of six people named when the Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered the facts reported to the Court of Appeal so that contempt proceedings could be initiated. The magistrate observed that, on the face of it, their statements at the protest appeared to criticise ongoing judicial proceedings. The article carries no response.5 Aug 2026 · Newswire · Court seeks contempt proceedings against Wimal, Udaya, Dilith & 3 others
  • On 7 October 2026 a three-judge Court of Appeal bench ordered documents to be provided to the lawyers for those named, and fixed 15 October and 23 October for further steps.7 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Contempt case against Wimal, Gammanpila, and Dilith taken up by Court of Appeal
  • The case was taken up again on 23 October 2026 before a three-judge bench presided over by Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya, which ordered it to be taken up on 11, 12 and 13 November.23 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Appeals Court case against Dilith Jayaweera and several others to be taken up in November