Gampaha Magistrate Bandula Gunaratne, who previously sought contempt of court proceedings against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has been transferred to the Judgesβ Training Institute with immediate effect.
According to reports, the transfer letter was issued by Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Secretary Prasanna Alwis.
The Magistrate had earlier requested the President of the Court of Appeal to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the IGP for allegedly failing to comply with a court order.
The order required the IGP to issue a circular to all police officers directing them not to initiate baseless legal proceedings against innocent citizens.
The Magistrate had determined that the failure to comply with the order undermined the authority of the court.
Separately, the IGP had lodged a complaint against the Magistrate with the Judicial Service Commission, which subsequently requested the Magistrate’s observations.
Reports indicate that the Magistrate submitted his observations before the transfer was announced.
The reason for the transfer has not been officially disclosed. (Newswire)