Court imposes fine on errant lawyer

A lawyer who drove his motor car under the influence of liquor disregarding police orders was fined Rs. 10,500 when he pleaded guilty before the Mount Lavinia additional magistrate Mrs. Darshika Wimalasiri.

The suspect Asanka Sanjeewa Welikala an attorney-at-law is a resident of S. de S. Jayasinghe Mawatha, Nugegoda.

On or about July 9, 2008 the suspect had driven his car at Mount Lavinia junction against the order of a police officer to stop. Subsequently, a police officer of the traffic division of Mount Lavinia had given chase and the lawyer and the car were taken into custody. On inspection, the lawyer was found to be under the influence of liquor.

The suspect was enlarged on bail and ordered to be present in court on 22. Accordingly, the suspect appeared in court and pleaded guilty.

Subsequently he was ordered to pay a fine of Rs 7500 over the first count of driving a car under the influence of liquor and Rs. 3,000 over the second count of disregarding police orders.