Colombo (LNW): The petitions filed against State Minister Sanath Nishantha over contempt of court will be heard before the Court of Appeal on July 13, 2023, as ordered by the Bench. This was when the petitions were taken up before the Appeal Court Bench comprising President of the Appellate Court Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A. Marikkar today (27). Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama appearing for the AG’s Office said a notice was filed before the Court under the Evidence (Special Provisions) Act pertaining to the examination of the video footage obtained with regard to the comment in question allegedly made by Nishantha. State Minister and Ruling Party MP Sanath Nishantha is accused of committing contempt of court via a comment he had allegedly made during a press conference called in by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) last year, criticising the magistrates for granting bail to a group of suspects involved in the ‘Aragalaya’ people’s protest. The petitions against Nishantha were filed by Attorneys-at-Law Priyalal Sirisena, Vijith Kumara and the Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka.