A bench warrant has been issued against two Methodist Church Ministers who failed to appear in court today with others to answer charges for allegedly breaching the public emergency regulations.

25 Methodist Church Ministers and Executives today pleaded not guilty to the charges laid against them in relation to breaching the Public Emergency Regulation last year.

The 25 included Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi, Reverend Mansa Lasaro, Reverend Ame Tugaue and Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu.

Magistrate, Tushara Rajasinghe also issued a bench warrant for Immanuel Rueben and William Lucas after they failed to appear in court today when the plea was taken.

Today also saw the merging of two cases in which different Church Ministers and Executives were charged for the same offence, meaning a single trial will now run for all the 27 Ministers and Executives.

The case has been adjourned till the 21st of next month when a hearing date is expected to be set.

Ame Tugaue and Tuikilakila Waqairatu are facing charges of organizing a Methodist Church standing committee meeting which allegedly breached the Public Emergency Regulation while the other 25 Ministers and Executives are charged with participating in the meeting which breached the PER.