AG Challenges CA Ruling in High-Profile 1999 Murder

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has scheduled a special appeal hearing for September 3, following a petition filed by the Attorney General seeking to overturn a prior decision by the Court of Appeal that invalidated an indictment against former Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon.

The indictment, originally filed before the Kandy High Court, accused Tennakoon of committing and aiding a murder in connection with the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old male in Dambulgamuwa, Matale, in 1999. 

The former minister challenged the legality of the indictment, claiming it was procedurally flawed, and subsequently filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal.

In 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Tennakoon, declaring the indictment unlawful and issuing a writ order to nullify it. 

The Attorney General has now petitioned the Supreme Court to revoke that decision, arguing that the ruling itself is contrary to legal principles.

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Janak de Silva, Mahinda Samayawardhena, and Sobhitha Rajakaruna called the matter on Tuesday (15).

During the initial proceedings, President’s Counsel Naveen Marapana, appearing for Tennakoon, informed the court that his client was in poor health and experiencing difficulty walking. In response, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, representing the Attorney General, requested a new date to confirm the facts of the petition.

After considering the submissions, the bench scheduled the next hearing for September 3, where the merits of the Attorney General’s special appeal will be examined.