Arrest warrant issued for Lankaenews editor

The Gamapaha Chief Magistrate today issued an international arrest warrant on Lankaenews editor Sandaruwan Senadheera for alleged contempt of court. The warrant is to be executed through the Interpol.

He has been accused of contempt for publishing on his website a photograph of the suspect accused over the assault on former editor of Rivira newspaper, Upali Tennakoon, before the suspect was even produced for an identification parade. 

Senadheera is currently believed to be in the UK in exile, having left the country during the regime of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President’s Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya stated that the case against Mr Senadheera will be referred to the Court of Appeal as it is regarding a contempt of court charge. 

At the Gamapaha Chief Magistrate Kavindya Nanayakkara also instructed the Department of Immigration and Emigration to arrest the Lankaenews editor if he arrives in Sri Lanka. 

Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapakse recently informed the Parliament that legal action will be pursued against Sandaruwan Senadheera for insulting the country’s judges using the Lankaenews website. 

Meanwhile attorney-at-law Madura Vithanage has submitted 14 complaints to court claiming that the website in question has published reports insulting several judges and courts in Sri Lanka. 

The complaints filed yesterday (24) stated that such articles were published on 14 separate occasions and that legal action should be instigated against this.