Big developments in the judicial sector as Gampaha Magistrate Bandula Gunaratne receives an immediate transfer. According to reports, Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Secretary Prasanna Alwis issued the transfer letter directing him to the Judges' Training Institute.
Row over court order and circular
Earlier, Magistrate Gunaratne made headlines after requesting the President of the Court of Appeal to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the IGP. This move followed the IGP allegedly failing to obey a court order.
That order had instructed the police chief to send a circular to all police officers, warning them not to file groundless legal cases against innocent people. The Magistrate ruled that ignoring this order damaged the authority of the court.
Complaint before the JSC
The drama did not end there. In a separate move, the IGP filed a complaint against Magistrate Gunaratne with the Judicial Service Commission.
The JSC then asked the Magistrate for his observations on the matter. Reports say he sent in his reply before the transfer was announced. So far, authorities have not officially disclosed why he was moved.
