Ranjan appears in SC without notice

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake outside the Supreme Court with his lawyer, President’s Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran MP and MP Dr. Ashu Marasinghe. Picture by Ranjith Asanka

Lakmal Sooriyagoda-Thursday, October 26, 2017

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake appeared before the Supreme Court, without notice to do so, in two Contempt of Court actions filed against him.

President’s Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran appearing for Ramanayake informed court that his client is yet to receive notice. “We have not got any notice. But we are appearing in court following newspaper reports that my client had been noticed,” Sumanthiran said.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday re-issued notice on Ramanayake to appear before the Supreme Court on November 21. This is to show cause regarding two Contempt of Court actions filed against him for allegedly casting insulting remarks on the reputation of the judiciary and lawyers at a press conference.

Ramanayake who had been named as the respondent in the petitions, was present before Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The Two-Judge Supreme Court Bench comprising Justice Buwaneka Aluvihare and Justice Anil Goonaratne decided to re-issue notices on the Deputy Minister pursuant to two contempt of court actions filed by two individuals.

Sumanthiran informed Supreme Court that on the next date he would explain to Court as to why court should not issued summons on Ramanayake. He told Court that the book ‘An Unfinished Struggle’, written by Victor Ivan had also highlighted corruption in the judiciary.

Ven. Magalkande Sudantha Thera of the Bodu Bala Sena Organisation and R. Sunil Perera, a retired Air Force Officer complained to Supreme Court seeking a Contempt of Court action against Ramanayake for allegedly making insulting remarks on the reputation of the judiciary and lawyers, at a press conference held on August 21. Former Sri Lanka Medical Council chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka was present in court in support of Ramanayake.

Counsel Rasika Dissanayake with Sandun Senadhipathi under instructions of Sanath Wijewardena appeared for the complainants. President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran appeared for Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake.