Gampaha Magistrate Transferred; New Magistrate Appointed

07-Nov-2026

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The Judicial Service Commission has appointed Kosala Senadheera as the new Magistrate of the Gampaha Magistrate's Court. Meanwhile, Bandula Gunaratne, who previously served as the Magistrate there, has been transferred with immediate effect.

Earlier, Magistrate Bandula Gunaratne had lodged a complaint with the President of the Court of Appeal, seeking action against Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya for alleged contempt of court.

The complaint was based on the allegation that the IGP had disregarded a court order directing him to issue a circular to all police stations instructing them not to institute unnecessary legal proceedings against innocent citizens.

In the incident concerned, the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Gampaha Police had allegedly levelled a false charge of drug possession against a person and filed two cases against the same suspect before the Gampaha Magistrate's Court on the same day.

When the Magistrate questioned why two cases had been filed against the same suspect on the same charge and on the same day, the police admitted that it was an error and stated that one of the cases would be withdrawn.

Following this, the Magistrate warned the police against instituting unnecessary cases against innocent members of the public and ordered compensation to be paid to the suspect.

He also took steps to direct the IGP to issue a circular advising police officers against instituting legal proceedings unlawfully.

However, the IGP subsequently lodged a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission regarding the incident.

Based on that complaint, the Commission sought an explanation from Magistrate Bandula Gunaratne.

Following consideration of the observations and recommendations submitted by the Magistrate, Secretary to the Judicial Service Commission Prasanna Alwis sent him a transfer letter.

Accordingly, he has been transferred to the Judicial Officers' Training Institute with immediate effect.