July 26, Colombo: A group of lawyers in Sri Lanka have filed a contempt of court case before the Court of Appeal against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiyutheen.

President's Counsel Geoffrey Alagaratnam, Dr. Sunil F.A. Cooray, Lal Wijenayake, Chandrapala Kumarage, President of the Mannar Bar Association E.C. Feldano, President of the Galle Law Association Nalini Karmalika Manatunga and President's Counsel A.S.M Perera are the petitioners.

The petitioners have stated that the respondent had attempted to thwart the course of justice by attempting to intimidate the Magistrate and attempted to alter the order already made.

Also the respondent had called the Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission and requested that the Magistrate A. Judeson be transferred from Mannar.

The petitioners have requested the Court to issue a notice on the Minister asking him to show cause why he should not be held in contempt of Court.

A petition was initially planned to be filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), but was delayed due to the need to get Council approval. However, a group lawyers yesterday filed a petition against Minister before the Court of Appeal.