Ranjan Ramanayake Contempt of Court: AG submits draft of charge sheet to SC

KAVINDYA PERERA-JUL 30 2018

The Attorney General (AG) has submitted the draft of the charge sheet to the Supreme Court (SC) in relation to the contempt of Court charges against Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake.

The SC had previously directed the AG to draft a charge sheet to show reasons as to why Ramanayake should not be held in contempt of Court.

When the petition against the Deputy Minister was called up for hearing before a three Judge SC bench comprising of Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, and Justices Vijith Malalgoda and L.T.B. Dehideniya, Deputy Solicitor General Priyantha Nawana appearing on behalf of the AG, submitted the draft of the said charge sheet.

Accordingly, the SC said that the course of action regarding it would be notified on 8 August.

Two petitions were filed against the Deputy Minister concerned by Buddhist Monk Magalkande Sudatta of the Sihala Ravaya and Retired Air Force Officer Sunil Perera alleging that the Deputy Minister had vehemently insulted the reputation of the judiciary and the lawyers at a press conference held on 21 August last year.

The petitioners have highlighted the fact that such defamatory statements will shatter public confidence and provide a distorted image of the judiciary to the people of Sri Lanka.