The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order temporarily halting proceedings in the case against Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.
Seneviratne, a retired Senior Deputy Inspector General, faces charges stemming from an October 2023 traffic incident in which he was accused of drunk driving and related offences.
His lawyers petitioned for the case to be transferred to another court, arguing that the Mount Lavinia Magistrate had erred in continuing the trial despite police informing the court that the Attorney General had advised against pursuing the charge of drunk driving. The defence maintained that this created a risk of an unfair trial.
Taking these submissions into account, the bench comprising Justices Mayadunne Corea and Mahen Gopallawa ordered the suspension of the Magistrate’s Court proceedings until the petition is fully heard.
Notices were issued to the respondents, including the Officer-in-Charge of the Wellawatte Police, to submit objections by September 23.
The Court scheduled further consideration of the petition for November 25. (Newswire)