Sri Lanka, Oct. 16 -- As one of the least understood issues in the contemporary legal canon, it's moot why there hasn't been more public discussion on the issue of contempt of court. Public figures often tangle with court, and there are recent examples and older ones that involve those such as former Minister S. B. Dissanayake who was jailed for the offence.

Perhaps those who were at the wrong end of a court order on contempt are most of the time keenly aware that they are in contempt, but others may be 'just in the way' of persons for some other reason, as a senior state counsel of the Attorney General's department found out not too long ago to her dismay.

The said counsel was discharged from contempt proceedings brought against her in...