SC threatens CEB with contempt of Court

   
By Susitha R. Fernando
The Supreme Court yesterday severely warned the Chairman, Board of Directors and General Manager of the CEB who were all present in court while pointing out that they would be charged for contempt of court if they fail to supply electricity to one of its consumers within the day.

The CEB promised to supply electricity to Citialert Security (Pvt) Ltd of Jethawana Road, Colombo 14 after which the application for contempt of court was withdrawn.

Following the CEB’s failure to comply with an interim order issued by the Supreme Court top CEB officials were personally summoned to be charged with contempt of court.

The bench comprising Justices Shiranee Tillakawardane, Nimal Dissanayake and Andrew Somawansa warned them that if they could not comply with the court order the next step would be to remand them.

Last Wednesday the court issued notice on CEB Chairman W. A. S. Perera, Vice Chairman K. A. Ranaweera, Board Members, B. A. Galwatta, J. P. Hettiarachchi, Senaka Sarathchandra, H. P. Cashian Herath, Lalith R. de Silva, General Manager Pulleperuma and Area Engineer- Colombo North, Mrs. P. H. D. Zoysa to appear in court personally to inquire into charges of contempt of court for failing to comply with a court order.

Following a petition being filed by the security firm the Courts had on March 11 directed the CEB to supply electricity to the part of the premises occupied by the petitioner an action the respondents had allegedly failed to comply with thereby drawing on themselves the wrath of the Courts. However the petitioner withdrew the application for contempt of court when CEB officials personally undertook to resume the supply of electricity to the petitioner on that very day.

Counsel Romesh de Silva PC with Sugath Caldera instructed by G. G. Arulpragasam appeared for Citialert Security (Pvt) Ltd.