By A.J.A. Abeynayake

The Supreme Court on Tuesday found fault with the Attorney General’s Department for failing to implement an order the court had issued around seven months before regarding an incident involving Senior DIG Ranmal Kodithuwakku.

The case pertained to an alleged assault of a driver by Kodituwakku for overtaking his vehicle, followed by the arrest of the victim.

The Supreme Court extensively questioned the Senior State Counsel representing the Attorney General’s Department on the matter.

Tishya Weragoda, appearing on behalf of the petitioner Mishara Ranasinghe, pointed out that the National Police Commission and other relevant authorities had failed to implement the order issued by the Supreme Court in August.

Weragoda argued before the bench comprising Justices Dilip Nawaz, Arjuna Obeysekera, and Sampath B. Abayakoon that SDIG Ranmal Kodithuwakku, the first respondent in the case, currently served as the Officer-in-Charge of the Crime Division, as well as Senior DIG overseeing the Division responsible for protecting the rights of victims and witnesses. Weragoda contended that the relevant authorities had deliberately disregarded the Supreme Court’s order.