CAA chief 'guilty' of contempt
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered The Consumer Affairs Authority chairman to resign immediately from the post.
The court ordered Attorney Sarath Wijesinghe not to take up any government office and declared that he is not fit to bear any government office in Sri Lanka. The chairman was found in contempt of court and guilty of abusing his power. The Court found him guilty of contempt and not implementing a price formula for liquid petroleum gas as directed by the judiciary. 'Double standards' The chief justice said that Sarath Wijesinghe always treated local businesses unfairly. He allows the Shell gas to raise the price of LP gas but did not permit Laugfs gas to increase the price, the chief justice told the open court. Wijesinghe collapsed and fainted in the court as CJ Sarath Silva delivered the verdict. The Supreme Court post-poned sentencing CAA chairman until 24 September. Wijesinghe, a former President of the ruling SLFP's UK branch, was appointed as CAA chairman after President Rajapaksa took over in November 2005.