SLTDA Chief Kimarli withdraws application to travel overseas amid objections by Lanka Realty Leisure

SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairperson Kimarli Fernando yesterday withdrew an application preferred through her lawyers, seeking permission from the Court to move the inquiry date.

The permission was sought on the Contempt of Court inquiry date, as she has to travel overseas.

This came up in the backdrop where, the District Court of Colombo pursuant to an inter-parte Inquiry, overruled the objections and affirmed an Order to issue summons on the SLTDA, its Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, Director General Dhammika Wijayasinghe and its Additional Director General Anoma Nandani for allegedly violating an Interim Injunction issued by the District Court.  

The plaintiff in this case is Lanka Realty Leisure.

Pursuant to Contempt of Court summons being re-issued, SLTDA Chairperson moved the Court by way of a motion to refix the inquiry date, in order for her to travel overseas. 

This was objected to by the Plaintiff, who then filed a Motion seeking for a Warrant of Arrest on the basis that the SLTDA Chairperson has failed to appear before Court in several occasions despite the Contempt Summons being issued on her. 

The Plaintiff complained that the SLTDA Chairperson is attempting to evade Court. 

When this matter was taken up on 10 February, the SLTDA Chairperson was not present in Court and the Plaintiff objected to making any application by lawyers without the presence of the accused.

When the matter was taken up again yesterday, the SLTDA Chairperson was not present in Court and PC Romesh de Silva appearing on the instructions of Sanath Wijewardena informed the Court that they are moving the Court to withdraw the application to travel overseas.

The SLTDA, its Chairperson, Director General and its Additional Director are required to be present in Court on 16 March to answer the Contempt of Court charges.

The Plaintiff, Lanka Realty Leisure was represented in Court by Counsel Nishan Premathiratne with Pravi Karunaratne and Vikum Jayasinghe, on the instructions of Attorneys-at-Law Julian Pratheep.