CoA issues interim order not to arrest interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya without Magistrate's Order

The Court of Appeal (CoA) today issued an interim order not to arrest interdicted High Court judge Gihan Pilapitiya without a Magistrate's Court order.

High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya who was interdicted earlier has filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal seeking an interim injunction order preventing his arrest.

Earlier the Attorney General has directed the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) to submit copies of audio and video recordings of 12 telephone conversations between MP Ranjan Ramanayake and interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya for his consideration. 

Thereafter Acting IGP Jayantha Wickramaratne has appointed a committee comprised of senior police officers including a Senior DIG to make recommendations on executing the Attorney General's instructions to arrest High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya. 

A senior Colombo Crime Division (CCD) source said the committee will look into how the police could execute the AG's instructions as they have been given instructions to arrest a sitting HC Judge.