Hon. Judge S.A.I.S. Suraweera, Provincial High Court vs. Punnya Kumari Palaketiya – SC RULE NO 01/2021-2024

In the case between Hon. Judge S.A.I.S. Suraweera (Complainant) and Punnya Kumari Palaketiya, Attorney-at-Law (Respondent), the court addressed allegations of professional misconduct by the respondent, including deceit, breach of attorney conduct rules, and improper involvement in the preparation of affidavits in a grave sexual abuse case. The findings established that the acts evidenced unprofessional conduct undermining the integrity of judicial proceedings. Divergent views were expressed regarding the appropriate period of suspension, weighing aggravating circumstances against mitigating personal factors, such as expressions of remorse and the respondent’s personal circumstances. The decisions relied on principles governing the conduct of legal practitioners and proportionality in sanct