Supreme Court Justice Prasanna Jayawardena today stepped down from the bench hearing the contempt of court case against former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, citing personal reasons.

The petition was filed by Senior Professor Chandraguptha Thenuwara, Prof Hewa Waduge Cyril, and Prof Prashantha Gunawardene, stating that the statement made by the former Chief Justice during a meeting organized by the ‘Jathika Ekamuthuwa’ organization in Maradana on December 03, is in contempt of court.

Silva had allegedly expressed views regarding the court order issued against the gazette notification issued by the President dissolving the Parliament.

They have requested the Supreme Court to hear the case and to give a suitable sentence to former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva accordingly.

The case was taken up before Justices Murdhu Fernando, Gamini Amarasekara and Prasanna Jayawardena this morning (8).

Justice Prasanna Jayawardena stated in open court that he too was a member of the bench which had issued the court order in question, which is the basis for the defendant’s statement, and that therefore he does not wish to participate in this hearing.

Accordingly the Supreme Court stated that the petition will be considered before another judge bench on July 28.

Justice Priyantha Jayewardena had also recused himself from the hearing of the petition on February 07, 2019.