Attorney-at-Law Thishya Weragoda informed the Fort Magistrate Court today (27 November) that a lawyer seeking a court order regarding how journalist Tharindu Jayawardhana on Easter Sunday terror attacks 2019 had acted without proper client instructions.
Attorney-at-Law Sajeewa Gamage, who filed the case via a motion, had earlier claimed to represent lawyer Moditha Ekanayake, a victim of the Easter Sunday attacks. However, the court revealed yesterday (26 November) that Ekanayake had filed a motion denying that he had authorised anyone to represent him in this matter.
During today’s proceedings, Gamage alleged that Ekanayake had visited his house for coffee, later changed his stance “like Maithripala Sirisena,” and accused journalist Tharindu Jayawardhana of 'buying' Ekanayake for money to 'switch sides.'
In response, Weragoda accused Gamage of acting irresponsibly, undermining the judiciary, and disregarding the rule of law. Gamage countered by arguing that no suspect had been named in the case, and therefore, Weragoda had no standing to appear. Weragoda maintained that he was entitled to represent Jayawardhana, as an order was being sought against his client.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the court that the case file was forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department yesterday (26 November) and that proceedings would continue based on the Attorney General’s instructions. The court adjourned the case to 30 April 2025.
Weragoda appeared for Jayawardhana, supported by a legal team comprising Welikumbura, Dylan Nalaka, and Manushika Cooray. Gamage, meanwhile, claimed to represent the aggrieved party. The Station Commander of the CID’s Homicide Investigation Division appeared on behalf of the CID.
Case Background
This case involves a motion seeking an order against journalist Tharindu Jayawardhana for his reporting on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Gamage had claimed to represent lawyer Moditha Ekanayake, a victim of the attacks, but Ekanayake later denied authorising any representation.
During a previous session, the court registrar was unavailable due to election duties, and the original case documents were locked in a safe, resulting in the case being adjourned to today (27 November).
The CID alleges that Jayawardhana obstructed an investigation related to a complaint made by retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Palitha Siriwardena against former Senior DIG and current Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne regarding the Easter attacks.
The CID further alleged that Jayawardhana’s reporting, particularly through his YouTube channel, had severely disrupted the investigation. The journalist’s disclosures undermined their efforts, prompting the CID to seek further investigations and notify the court about potential measures to address the issue, the CID alleged.
Tharindu Jayawardhana, President of the Young Journalists’ Association, has been actively reporting on the Easter Sunday attacks since they occurred in April 2019. His recent coverage includes details about police officers allegedly involved in incidents connected to the attacks.
